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Australian carbon fibre composites manufacturer Quickstep has secured a new order for F-35 vertical tail components from Victorian-based Marand Precision Engineering.
The $11.3 million contract, scheduled for delivery between FY24 and FY25, is the latest purchase order between the two longstanding partners and will be delivered from the company’s Bankstown facility.
Marand has provided precision equipment for the F-35 program since its early inception in 2002 and was one of the first Australian companies to be involved.
Mark Burgess, managing director and chief executive officer of Quickstep, said that the company was “proud” to support the international program.
“Following our multi-year award announcement on 25 August 2022, this additional order means our F-35 vertical tail production is also underpinned by firm contracts through FY25,” he said.
“It is a great testament to the quality and delivery performance of our aerostructures business, especially in a challenging operating environment, that we have secured this follow-on work.
“We are proud to support this important international program and continue to explore opportunities for additional volume.”
It significantly comes after Quickstep signed a separate six-year deal in November to produce components for Northrop Grumman’s global F-35 program.
Quickstep was first integrated into the prime’s global supply chain in 2012.
The work is expected to be undertaken in Sydney, to support Northrop’s manufacturing of the centre fuselage for all three F-35 variants.
The F-35 is the country’s newest fighter, purchased to replace the RAAF’s F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets that were in service since 1985 and retired in late 2021.
Over the coming years, Australia will buy 72 as part of the $17 billion AIR 6000 Phase 2A/B program, with all expected to be fully operational by 2023.
Thus far, the fighters have clocked in excess of 15,000 flight hours and have already achieved initial operational capability, making it combat-ready.
The aircraft comes in three variants: the F-35A — purchased by Australia — is a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) version; the F-35B is a short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) variant, and the final F-35C is the carrier type (CV).
The RAAF took delivery of four more in September, taking its current fleet to 54.
“We are delighted to have secured this multi-year buy with Northrop Grumman,” said Josh Scanlon, business leader, Aerostructures, Quickstep Holdings Limited.
“These firm orders secure our Northrop Grumman F‑35 order book through 2025 and are a great example of the value Australian industry delivers to the world’s largest defence aerospace program.”
The last 12 months have seen Quickstep sign a flurry of impressive deals to expand their growing business.
In October, for instance, it was announced the firm would manufacture components for Australian firm Carbonix’s hybrid surveillance drone Volanti and also with Defence itself on creating materials capable of surviving hypersonic flight.
