Arconic’s Niles Branch To Continue Supplying Titanium Parts For F-35s

The Niles branch of Arconic Titanium and Engineered Products has received a $1.1 billion contract for supplying titanium parts for Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II fighter jets.

Arconic has supplied Lockheed Martin with titanium parts since the beginning of the F-35 project, and under this new contract its Niles branch will continue the supply through 2024, Tribune Chronicle reported.

The use of titanium in airplanes is growing as lighter, more efficient plane designs are sought, positioning plants like Arconic for more business down the road, Jeremy Halford, president of Arconic, said.

And with the production of the fighter jet is ramping up along with the need to make airplanes lighter, Halford is hoping increase in jobs.

“With the ramp up, as production grows, that will be a growth driver for us,” Halford said. “And, the aerospace industry is continuing to grow globally. As the demand for planes increase, and planes become lighter and more efficient, that macro-driver is what is leading to more jobs in Niles, Ohio,” Halford added.