Vancouver-based IBC lands F-35 component contract

The component covered by this contract is an EOTS azimuth gimbal housing. PHOTO: Lockheed Martin

WILMINGTON, Mass.—Vancouver-based specialized metals manufacturer IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. says its wholly owned US subsidiary, IBC Engineered Materials Corp., has been awarded a US$2-million contract from Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

IBC will provide critical cast components for the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) on the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

The first component covered by this contract is an EOTS azimuth gimbal housing to be manufactured using Beralcast, the company’s proprietary beryllium-aluminum casting alloy.

Pre-production has begun at the Company’s Wilmington, MA manufacturing facility with initial deliveries scheduled to begin later this year and into 2015.

The deal includes non-recurring engineering (NRE) and hard tooling deliverables and has the potential, with subsequent LRIP contract awards, to increase significantly over the life of the F-35 program.

The EOTS assembly being produced by Lockheed Martin is for all the F-35 variants and planned production quantities are estimated to be over 3,000 aircraft with deliveries through 2035.

“We are pleased to announce this validation of our Beralcast alloys and are committed to Lockheed Martin and the demanding requirements of this critical defense program,” said Ray White, President of IBC’s Engineered Materials Division. “A key attribute of our relationship with Lockheed Martin is flexibility and collaborative engineering,” continued White, “and we look forward to supporting future initiatives where modulus, weight and cost are critical performance factors.”

“IBC’s Beralcast alloys are ideal materials for the F-35 Lightning II program where certain components need the superior performance of beryllium aluminum,” said Chris Huskamp, Director of Technical Business Development for IBC. “This purchase order is an important validation of the Beralcast as a high performance casting solution to reduce costs and lead times compared to other beryllium aluminum alternatives.”

The F-35 Lightning II, a 5th generation fighter, combines advanced low observable stealth technology with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment.

IBC is an integrated manufacturer and distributor of rare metals-based alloys and related products serving a variety of industries including nuclear energy, automotive, telecommunications and a range of industrial applications. IBC has 80 employees and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada with production facilities in Indiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Missouri.