Northrop Grumman [NOC] took a significant step in transitioning the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to full-rate production with the March 1 start-up of the company’s integrated assembly line (IAL) in Palmdale, Calif.
Inspired by automation systems used by automakers, the IAL was designed and developed by Northrop Grumman, working with Detroit-based KUKA Systems Corporation’s Aerospace Division, a commercial automation integrator.
The new IAL occupies a space near the current F-35 assembly line in Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale Manufacturing Center and includes automatic assembly tool systems, transportation systems and manufacturing systems, all controlled centrally and wirelessly by a factory communications system. The company anticipates it will produce its first entire fuselage early in 2012. Until then, work will continue using both the IAL and existing line.
“Since the very beginning, Northrop Grumman’s role in producing the world’s most advanced fighter has included highly trained personnel and high-precision systems, and the IAL carries on this mission,” said Tommy Tomlinson, a company vice president.
The IAL is designed to drive new levels of efficiency into the manufacturing process, an endeavor that includes reducing process times, increasing precision and quality, and reducing the costs of production.
As a member of the F-35 industry team led by Lockheed Martin [LMT], Northrop Grumman is responsible for the design and production of center fuselages for all three variants of the aircraft.
All F-35 center fuselages currently are being assembled in Palmdale. Northrop Grumman also designed and produces the aircraft’s radar and other key avionics including electro- optical and communications subsystems; develops mission systems and mission-planning software; leads the team’s development of pilot and maintenance training system courseware; and manages the team’s use, support and maintenance of low-observable technologies. To date, Northrop Grumman has delivered 42 center fuselages.