New F-35 grants boost capabilities

Three new federal government grants were announced today to companies including Adelaide’s Axiom to boost their ability to participate in F-35 joint strike fighter production.

Axiom has secured more than $800,000 to purchase new technical equipment and train staff in its operation.

Fifty Australian companies have shared in almost $1.8 billion in contracts to supply parts for the F-35, employing over 2,400 people.

The grants announced under the New Air Combat Capability – Industry Support Programme include:

• South Australian-based NuMetric (trading as Axiom) has been awarded $809,998 to purchase a five-axis three metre vertical computer numerical control machine, and to train staff in its operation.
• Victorian-based Moog has been awarded $250,000 to undertake a study and capability gap analysis to prepare for the sustainment phase of the F-35 Global Support Solution. This analysis is the first step towards Moog becoming a qualified repair source for sustainment under the F-35 Program.
• Victorian-based A.W. Bell has been awarded $250,000 to invest at its Dandenong South casting and production facility, to improve competitiveness and reduce risk for the F-35 global supply chain.

Picture: airforce.gov.au

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