Kitron joins F-35 supply chain
Norway-based company Kitron will supply subassembly electronic modules for F-35 Lightning II aircraft avionics under an agreement with Northrop Grumman announced on 22 September.
Northrop Grumman is delivering the F-35’s Communication, Navigation and Identification (CNI) avionics suite. The suite, which uses software-defined radio technology that allows the simultaneous operation of multiple critical functions, will give pilots more than 27 avionics functions including voice and data communication.
Kitron’s agreement is effective through June 2036, and includes rights for future extensions.
Jeannie Hilger, vice president, network communication systems, Northrop Grumman Information Systems, said: ‘Northrop Grumman is committed to developing a cost-effective and technically superior source that would provide the best value for the F-35 CNI programme. We established a cooperative, supportive relationship with Kitron and forged this agreement to formalise our partnership.’
Andrew Tyler, chief executive, Europe, Northrop Grumman, added: ‘The CNI system is critically important to the F-35 and provides the aircraft with its ability to be integrated into the wider battlespace. This agreement will further strengthen the deep partnership with Norway that we have built up over the years and which dates back to 1940.’
The agreement follows an earlier contract that will see Kitron develop a test program set (TPS) for evaluating and troubleshooting F-35 avionics.
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