Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) has received an initial production contract from Northrop Grumman Corporation to provide its weapons bay door drive system for all models of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft. The contract is expected to generate more than $20 million in revenue through early 2011. Work will be performed by Goodrich's Actuation Systems team in Wolverhampton, UK with support from Goodrich's Sydney, Australia and Vergennes, Vt. businesses.

Goodrich is responsible for the complete actuation system for the F-35 weapons bay door drive, incorporating actuation, electronic controls and locks. The system minimizes any adverse impact on the aircraft's stealth signature by quickly and precisely opening and closing its weapons bay door. The contract covers low rate initial production lots two and three, for 12 and 19 aircraft respectively. Deliveries are expected to begin in early 2009 and continue through the middle of 2011.

Goodrich's content on the F-35, expected to be valued at more than $3 million per aircraft, includes the air data system, landing gear, weapons bay door drive systems, engine and fuel quantity sensors, actuation systems and unique short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) engine and airframe components. Production takes place at company facilities in Australia, Canada, the UK and the U.S.