F-35 Lightning II
The F-35 is a stealthy, supersonic, multirole fighter designed to meet the requirements of the U.S. and allied defense forces worldwide for an affordable next generation fighter.
Our Role on the F-35
Northrop Grumman is a principal partner and teammate on the F-35 Lightning II industry team that is developing, producing and sustaining three variants of this fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
Northrop Grumman performs a significant share of the work required to develop and produce the aircraft. Northrop Grumman produces the aircraft's center fuselage, AN/APG-81 AESA radar, communications subsystems and provides sustainment support for the EODAS.
Northrop Grumman also produces mission systems and mission-planning software and vehicle systems; leads the industry team's development of pilot and maintenance training system courseware; and manages the team's use, support and maintenance of low-observable technologies.
To learn details about Northrop Grumman’s key role in the development, production, and full lifecycle modernization and sustainment of the F-35, see the brochure.
Center Fuselage Integrated Assembly Line
Center Fuselage
Northrop Grumman designs and produces the center fuselage, which is a major airframe component for each of the three F-35 variants. The center fuselage incorporates a bifurcated inlet system and forms a significant portion of the aircraft’s internal weapons bay and internal fuel reservoir. The aircraft’s inflight operating doors, including the weapons bay doors and door drive systems, are also produced by Northrop Grumman.
Integrated Assembly Line (IAL)
The IAL is one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities ever assembled to produce military aircraft. The facility uses automated technology that couples the strengths of humans and machines to produce the center fuselage for all three variants.
The football field-sized IAL is comprised of over 3,000 parts and up to 115 assembly positions. Northrop Grumman puts together 10 million parts per year. It takes eight months to create one center fuselage. The team completes one every 30 hours.
In 2023, Northrop Grumman announced a collaboration with Rheinmetall AG to stand-up a second IAL in Weeze, Germany. Ground broke for the facility in August 2023.
Development
Northrop Grumman leads physical design activities for the internal weapons bays and collaborates with Lockheed Martin on functional design activities. The team also provides development and modification support for vehicle systems.
Structures and Subsystems
Northrop Grumman provides center fuselage engineering expertise for development activities. This know-how supports new developments, production modifications and flight test articles and country-specific production variants.
Airframe Technologies and Skins
Primed with six decades of composite manufacturing experience, Northrop Grumman provides core technologies key to the F-35’s advanced airframe.
Our team applies automated fiber placement (AFP) technology to fabricate upper wing skins, lower wing skins, inlet ducts, and engine nacelles and uses hand layup techniques to produce engine straps, wing-to-body fairings, access panels, bullnoses, blade seals, and vertical seal components for all variants of the F-35.
Enhanced Radar and Sensor Capabilities
Pioneering in AESA Technology
Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array (AESA) is the latest and most capable AESA in the world, acting as the cornerstone to the F-35 Lightning II's advanced sensor suite.
This multifunction radar provides unparalleled battlespace situational awareness that translates into lethality, aircrew effectiveness and survivability.
Meeting our Commitment
Northrop Grumman also provides sustainment on the EO/IR Distributed Aperture System (EODAS). The EODAS provides a 360-degree, protective sphere of situational awareness for F-35 Lightning pilots.
Integrated Communications, Navigation, Identification (CNI)
Northrop Grumman’s CNI is one of the most advanced integrated avionics systems ever engineered to greatly enhance pilot effectiveness.
CNI is built using open, software-defined radio technology with reconfigurable radio frequency and digital processing hardware that can be rapidly upgraded and dynamically programmed to perform multiple functions. The system arms the F-35 pilot with multiple mission capabilities engineered for seamless transition from one mission phase to the next.
The integrated CNI avionics suite includes dozens of avionics functions and advanced capabilities such as ultra-high frequency/very high frequency voice and data, identification friend-or-foe, Link 16, joint precision and approach landing systems, and the cutting-edge Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) for low-observable platforms.
Weapon Systems
Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER)
Northrop Grumman’s AARGM-ER is a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile system leveraging existing AARGM components with the addition of a new high-performance air vehicle, propulsion system and advanced warhead to provide vital counter-air-defense capability. AARGM-ER provides Suppression and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD) capability to all versions of the F-35.
Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW)
SiAW gives the U.S. Air Force increased air-to-ground strike capability for the F-35 to rapidly respond to air defenses, ballistic cruise missile launchers and other heavily defended land targets. SiAW builds on the technologies of the high-speed AARGM-ER but is an all-new weapon. SiAW’s capabilities are enhanced by stealthy F-35’s employing “Stand-in Strikes” where they are able to penetrate enemy defenses and release munitions closer to a target.
Global Battle Management and Readiness
Low-Observable and Support Equipment
Northrop Grumman provides support and maintenance for low-observable technologies. As of 2023, the company is responsible for managing and procuring 100% of F-35 aircraft support equipment.
Field Support and Modification Management
Northrop Grumman provides Field Support Engineers (FSEs) and Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) personnel at F-35 operational sites. They deliver tip-to-tail expertise, including avionics, mission systems, and sustainable low-observable support, to ensure aircraft availability and mission readiness. We also manage modification of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps F-35 aircraft, with field teams performing work at operational sites.
Pilot and Maintenance Training Courseware
Northrop Grumman provides development and sustainment of F-35 courseware that addresses all aspects of pilot and unit-level maintenance and provides global instruction of the courseware.
Product Support Integration
Northrop Grumman collaborates with the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin in managing the F-35 through sustainment analyses, modeling & simulation, and support optimization.
Program Overview
Program Hallmarks
- Affordability
- Survivability
- Sustainability
- Lethality
The F-35 Lightning II is a stealthy, supersonic, multirole fighter designed to meet the requirements of the United States and allied defense forces worldwide for an affordable next generation fighter. It will replace a wide range of aging fighter and strike aircraft currently in the inventories of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied defense forces.
Northrop Grumman is a principal member of the Lockheed Martin-led industry team, which is developing producing and sustaining three variants. The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, the F-35B is the short takeoff-vertical landing (STOVL) variant, and the F-35C is the carrier variant (CV).
The program’s hallmarks – affordability, survivability, sustainability and lethality – are achieved through the use of the most modern military aircraft technologies, state-of-the-art production facilities, and a high degree of commonality among the three variants. The team is using advanced manufacturing techniques to enable a unique, high-rate production program and innovative, cost effective solutions to deliver affordable sustainment for the long term.
