Photo: Northrop Grumman
One centre fuselage is produced every 30 hours on the Palmdale assembly line.
Northrop Grumman has delivered the 1,500th centre fuselage for the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter from its Integrated Assembly Line in Palmdale, California. Using advanced manufacturing methods, the facility now completes one centre fuselage every 30 hours.
The line supports all three variants of the F-35 and benefits from automation and mixed-reality technologies. Augmented and virtual reality tools have cut assembly time by 35 per cent and reduced the technician learning curve by 20 per cent.
Northrop Grumman is a core member of the F-35 industry team, with responsibilities including the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, the integrated communications, navigation and identification system, wing skins and low observable technologies. It also supports global sustainment for the F-35 fleet.
| Contact details from our directory: | |
| Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems | Airframer |
| Northrop Grumman Misson Systems (was Electronic Systems) | Airborne Reconnaissance Infrared, Aperture Systems, Avionics Management Systems, Communication Antennas, IFF Interrogators, Inertial Components & Systems, Infrared Target Designators, Interceptor Fire Control Radar, Radar Receivers, Radar Reconnaissance Equipment, Surveillance/Air Defense Radar, Terrain Following Radar, Weapons Countermeasures, Weather Mapping Radar, Wind Shear Warning Systems (Airborne) |
| Related aircraft programs: |
| Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II |
| Related directory sectors: |
| Weapons Systems |
| Airframe Assemblies |
Weekly news by email:
See the latest Bulletin, and sign up free‑of‑charge for future editions.
Archer selects Bristol for UK engineering hub
Adani and Embraer advance E175 assembly line in India
GA-ASI names YFQ-42A Dark Merlin and completes autonomous tests
