Perth based Quickstep Holdings has signed an MoU with Melbourne’s Marand Engineering to supply vertical tail skins for the F-35 JSF.
The MoU has the potential to be converted into a Long Term Agreement (LTA) to supply up to $50 million worth of the composite skins to Marand, which has a deal with Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems to provide complete vertical tails to non-US partner operators worth up to $700 million over the life of the program.
“Creating a critical mass of advanced composite manufacturing know-how and capability greatly strengthens our chances of establishing a world class competitive industry here in Australia,” Quickstep managing director Philippe Odouard said in a statement.
Quickstep also signed an MoU with Lockheed Martin on November 4 to provide composite doors and panels for the F-35, a deal it hopes to confirm as an LTA early next year.
