Fokker and Lockheed sign MOU for additional F-35 wing component order

Fokker signed an agreement on January 14th, for the delivery of wing components (Flaperons & Outboard Leading Edge Flaps) on the next batches of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Under this agreement, Fokker will be responsible for the manufacturing of the Flaperons & OLEF for the next batches of F-35 aircraft in low rate initial production lot 9-10. Spread over the period from 2015 to the end of 2017 this selection represents an additional value of tens of millions of US$ and secures employment for 100 highly qualified specialists at Fokker in Hoogeveen for the coming years. The F-35’s Flaperons are 3 metre long flaps on the wing trailing edges and the OLEF are flaps on the wing leading edges, both vital for the controllability of the aircraft. The unique design is based on the low maintenance combination of composite and titanium with a better resistance to fatigue and corrosion. The design of the Flaperons & OLEF contributes to improved aircraft performance by saving weight and increasing strength at the same time. Fokker has been manufacturing the Flaperons & OLEF since Low Rate Initial Production Lot 3 for the F-35 aircraft. Fokker also produced more than 2000 sets of flaperons for the Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft type for many years. Production of the F-16 components started in 1978 and is still going on today.