TAI Opens Advanced Composites Manufacturing Facility

Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) today opened a new Advanced Composites Manufacturing Facility (ACMF) in Ankara, Turkey to support its role as a major subcontractor to Northrop Grumman Corporation on the U.S.-led F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program.>> The 72,000 square foot ACMF, which represents a major upgrade of TAIs existing composites manufacturing facilities, will enable the company to produce critical composite structures and subassemblies for the F-35s center fuselage, one of the aircrafts most complicated assemblies. It also positions TAI to fulfill its commitment to produce up to 400 center fuselages for the F-35 program.>> TAI laid the foundation for the new facility in June 2007.>> The Advanced Composites Manufacturing Facility was officially opened today during a ceremony attended by many military and civilian dignitaries.>> The opening of this new facility is a major first step by TAI in demonstrating Turkeys commitment to the success of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, said TAI Chairman Mr. Atalay Efeer. Were already using the facilitys advanced technology machinery to produce key composite subassemblies for Northrop Grumman. Beyond our extensive experience in composite and metal bonding technology, this new investment will help TAI to level up in the aerospace sector.>> In February 2007, TAI and Northrop Grumman ISS International signed a Letter of Intent authorizing TAI to be a second source supplier of center fuselages for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Northrop Grumman, a principal subcontractor to F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin, is responsible for producing the center fuselage for all three F-35 variants.