GKN Aerospace has inked a four-year agreement with Lockheed Martin to expand its production of bulkheads for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, starting this year. The bulkheads are a critical structure in both the conventional takeoff and landing version and the carrier version of the fighter. They require the longest lead time of any F-35 part and represent among the largest titanium forgings produced for any aircraft.

The production work will be performed at GKN facilities in Amityville, New York, and Wellington, Kansas. GKN also supplies the F-35 program with critical engine components, electrical wiring interconnection systems, canopies, and advanced composite structures. It also holds contracts for in-flight opening doors and the landing gear brace. The UK company, which was recently taken over my venture capital company Melrose, also services and maintains the landing gear for the European and Pacific F-35 fleets.

Mike McCann, CEO of GKN Aerostructures and Systems for North America, said, “Collaborative engineering efforts between GKN Aerospace and Lockheed Martin enable us to maximize efficiencies to help reduce unit prices within the contract and support cost reductions.”

Separately, GKN's Garden Grove, California, center of excellence has developed a new hydrophobic coating for cockpit windows, eliminating the need for windshield wipers on many aircraft. Requiring just a one-time application for the life of the window, the coating sheds water and "significantly enhances resistance to surface abrasion," according to GKN (Chalet G1). Current testing with Airbus is exploring the effectiveness of the coating for not only rain protection, but also anti-icing properties.