RUAG expands F-35 actuator capabilities

Global aerospace manufacturer RUAG Australia has expanded and upgraded its Bayswater factory to deliver larger volumes of hydraulic actuators for the F-35 Lightning fighter jet.

The company’s Hydraulic Actuator Centre of Excellence is the sole global source supplier for the uplock actuator systems which open and close the bay doors of the F-35, with the upgrade set to improve throughput and productivity.

Ruag said Bayswater was now well-positioned to process and deliver on larger order volumes to meet increasing supply chain demands of the Joint Strike Fighter programme.

“2020 sees RUAG Australia set to provide more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective hydraulic actuator manufacturing capabilities to its customers.

“The upgraded Bayswater facility now includes a total of eleven CNC machining centres (pictured), with the final investment stage bringing three additional new machines online at the close of 2019.”

The machining centres are now configured into work cells that focus on the customer value stream for efficient production.

Ruag Australia general manager Terry Miles said: “Delivering capability redundancy, a customer priority, has been a key outcome of the manufacturing investment programme.

“We understand the customer’s need for quick turnaround, affordability, and reliability.”

Miles said the upgrade allows the company to streamline its supply chain, meet the rapidly increasing demand to support industry diversification, and deepen its participation in aerospace programmes.

RUAG MRO International is an independent supplier, support provider and integrator of systems and components for civil and military aviation worldwide.

Picture: Ruag Australia/Bayswater CNC centre

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