Magellan Aerospace announced today that it plans to invest up to C$120m in its Winnipeg Bristol Aerospace plant to facilitate work on the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme.
The Canadian Government’s strategic aerospace and defence initiative (SADI) programme, will assist by providing repayable cash-flow support of up to C$43.4m for technology and process development.
The SADI participation supports the development of new manufacturing and process technology for composite and metallic materials for the JSF F-35 Lightning II aircraft.
The F-35 is being developed by Lockheed Martin with partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.
The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, fifth generation stealth fighter.
Three F-35 variants, derived from a common design, developed together, and using the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide, will replace at least 13 types of aircraft for 11 nations initially, making the F-35 the most cost-effective fighter programme in history.
Magellan has been manufacturing low quantities of components and assemblies of the JSF programme for five years as the aircraft has progressed through test articles, prototypes, and low rate production stages, including initial work on the two engine candidates.
Magellan has also entered into letters of intent with each of BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin in relation to the production of two major assemblies on the aircraft, and is pursuing additional participation in engine production and after-market support.
Magellan CEO, Jim Butyniec said that “the JSF is a game-changing programme due to its size, its advanced technology, and most importantly for Magellan, its manufacturing and process technology.”
By Daniel Garrun.
