Northrop Grumman Corp.'s F-35 Integrated Assembly Line (IAL) was recently named "Assembly Plant of the Year" by Assembly Magazine in recognition of the facility's world-class processes to reduce costs, increase productivity and improve quality. Northrop Grumman is the first aerospace company to receive the award.
Inspired by automation systems used by automakers, the IAL was designed and developed by Northrop Grumman, working with KUKA Systems Corp.'s Aerospace Division, a commercial automation integrator. The IAL is central to producing the F-35's center fuselage as well as driving new levels of efficiency into the manufacturing process, reducing process times, increasing precision and quality, and decreasing production costs.
"Northrop Grumman has been a leader in designing, developing and applying automated systems to the complex task of assembling modern fighter aircraft," said Brian Chappel, vice president of the F-35 program for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "The IAL is one example where Northrop Grumman maximizes robotics and automation, providing additional capacity and assembly capability while meeting engineering tolerances that are not easily achieved using manual methods."
Northrop Grumman's Palmdale site is a world-class facility that provides assembly, integration, testing and long-term maintenance capabilities for the F-35 and other advanced aircraft, including the B-2 Spirit and RQ-4 Global Hawk.
In addition to manufacturing the F-35 center fuselage, Northrop Grumman designed and produces the aircraft's radar and other key avionics including electro-optical, communications, navigation and identification subsystems.
Northrop Grumman also 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. In 2012, the company delivered 32 center fuselages and is on track to exceed delivery quantities in 2013.
For more information, visit www.northropgrumman.com.