Solvay, Lockheed Martin continue F-35 aircraft partnership

Solvay Composite Materials (Alpharetta, Ga., U.S.) reported on Sept. 29 that it has been awarded a new five-year material supply contract for Lockheed Martin’s (Ft. Worth, Texas, U.S.) F-35 aircraft. The new contract extends Solvay’s long-standing partnership on the F-35 program and underlines the company’s leadership in composite and adhesive technologies for defense platforms.

“It is a privilege to be the principal supplier of structural composites and adhesives to Lockheed Martin multinational F-35 program," says Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay Composite Materials Global Business Unit. "This contract extension builds not only on our F-35 program commitment, but also the partnership Solvay and Lockheed Martin have shared for more than 30 years and our ability to innovate together.”

The F-35 is the U.S. Department of Defense's flagship program that is delivering an advanced, affordable fifth-generation multi-role fighter platform for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and international customers. It is said that it constitutes the largest global defense program in history.

From its facilities in the U.S. and Europe, Solvay says it has so far supported the manufacturing and delivery of more than 550 aircraft now operating in nine countries. In meeting these demands, Solvay supplies a portfolio of more than 50 products to the F-35 program, including structural composites such as CYCOM 5250-4, a bismaleimide (BMI) prepreg system known for performance-enhancing capability at high temperatures; an industry standard CYCOM 977-3, a toughened epoxy resin prepreg system; structural adhesive FM 300; and a lightning strike protection surfacing film FM 309-1.

The new contract with Lockheed Martin will be managed by Solvay and its U.S.-based subsidiary CDM, which operates under a special security agreement. The contract will formally commence on January 1, 2021.