CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, May 1 /PRNewswire/ --
- Minister reviews facility upgrades in support of new F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft
Goodrich Corporation's (NYSE: GR) Actuation Systems facility in Wolverhampton, UK hosted a visit by Ian Austin MP, West Midlands Regional Minister. Austin came to review the status of Goodrich's investment in a new plant to support the production ramp-up for the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.
Austin viewed the Wolverhampton facility's production areas and received status briefings on Goodrich involvement in the F-35 program. The facility had been awarded a grant of 1.9M pounds Sterling from Advantage West Midlands to upgrade its facility and equipment in support of high-tech advanced manufacturing work required for the F-35.
Austin said, The Black Country has a fine tradition of engineering excellence and expertise in the aerospace industry and so it's only natural that Wolverhampton plays a key role in the production of the F-35. I am also delighted that Advantage West Midlands are supporting Goodrich to help them prosper in the region and boosting the very manufacturing skills for which we are rightly famous. These are just the kinds of high-tech, high skilled jobs that we want to see more of in the region.
Goodrich's Wolverhampton team is producing several key systems for the F-35 including its weapons bay door drive system; this device instantly opens and closes the weapons bay door, allowing weapons held in the aircraft's internal bay to be deployed while maintaining the F-35's stealthy signature.
The Goodrich site in Wolverhampton comprises roughly 300,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space, and currently employs more than 700 people in disciplines including engineering, manufacturing, and various support functions. The site produces actuation systems for a variety of military and commercial aircraft.
The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter. Goodrich provides critical systems for all variants of the F-35 Lightning II -- CTOL (conventional takeoff and landing), CV (carrier variant) and STOVL (short takeoff/vertical landing). In addition to the weapons bay door drive system, other Goodrich content on the F-35 includes actuation systems, landing gear, the air data system, engine and fuel quantity sensors, and unique STOVL engine and airframe components. Production takes place at company facilities in Australia, Canada, the UK and the U.S.
Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities. For more information, visit http://www.goodrich.com.
Goodrich Corporation operates through its divisions and as a parent company for its subsidiaries, one or more of which may be referred to as Goodrich Corporation in this press release.
GR - Actuation and Landing Systems
Martin Butler, Goodrich Corporation, +44-(0)-121-451-5975
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