Page 9 - Aerotech News and Review, Feb. 21, 2019

Northrop Grumman building newest bomber

by Stuart Ibberson
editor
Until recently, Northrop Grum-
man’s facility at Air Force Plant 42
in Palmdale, Calif., was perhaps best
known as being the site where the
B-2 Spirit bomber was built and as-
sembled.
In fact, in 2019, the company and
the U.S. Air Force marked the 30th
anniversary of the first flight of the
stealth bomber when it flew from
the Palmdale facility to Edwards
Air Force Base on July 17, 1989.
To mark the anniversary, Northrop
Grumman hosted an event at Plant
42 on Aug. 20.
While B-2 production ended some
years ago, and depot maintenance is
now performed in Oklahoma, work
has continued at the facility in vari-
ous capacities.
Northrop Grumman produces the
center fuselage for the Lockheed
Martin F-35 Lightning II at its ‘Palm-
dale Aircraft Integration Center of
Excellence.’ Northrop Grumman image
In February 2019, Northrop Grum- An artists’ rendering of a B-21 Raider concept in a hangar at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Dyess is one of the bases expected to host the new airframe. The
man announced it had delivered the B-21 will be built at the Northrop Grumman facilities at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., and tested at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
500th center fuselage for the F-35
ahead of schedule. president and F-35 program manager, The center fuselage is designed ing together robotics, autonomous by various industry organizations
“We deliver an F-35 center fuse- Northrop Grumman. “Our dedicated and produced on Northrop Grum- systems, virtual 3D and predictive as well.
lage every 36 hours and I am very team works closely with the custom- man’s integrated assembly line, a automation to the forefront of center In March 2019, the company was
proud to say we have made all our er and suppliers to improve quality state-of-the-art facility supported fuselage production. recognized by the National Associa-
deliveries since the inception of the and affordability in support of the by technologies exclusive to or pio-
program,” said Frank Carus, vice warfighter.” neered by Northrop Grumman bring- The facility has been recognized See NORTHROP, Page 10

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