Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been awarded a new contract by Boeing to build the tail assembly leading edges for the 777X, the new series of the Boeing 777 family expected to start service in 2020, IsraelDefense reported Monday. IAI was also awarded an extension of its existing contract for the 777 tail assembly leading edges through the life of the Programs.
As of now, IAI is Boeing’s supplier of the tail assembly leading edge for the 777, the pivot bulkhead, the passenger floor beams and door surround details for the 787 Dreamliner. According to IsraelDefense, the new deal for the 777X “demonstrates a shared commitment by company leaders to expand the strategic relationship between IAI and Boeing.”
IAI believes that “Boeing’s renewed vote of confidence in IAI is an act that cannot be overestimated. Working with the world’s leading aviation giant serves as a stamp of quality for IAI’s technological and aviation capabilities.”
IAI will be building the 777X tail assembly leading edge at its plant in Lod, near Ben Gurion International. First delivery is due in late 2017.
Meanwhile, IAI has also secured a contract modification for the production of wing sets for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), according to Airforce Technology. The Israeli company will build 40 wing sets for the F-35 Lightning program. This is a modification of the original $2.5 billion contract IAI received through Lockheed Martin in 2014, to produce more than 800 pairs of F-35 wings in 10 to 15 years.
IAI president and CEO Joseph Weiss said “the award reflects a strong vote of confidence in IAI’s abilities and commitment to this partnership, part of the development of the most advanced fighter aircraft ever produced. We are extremely proud of this cooperation and believe it will continue to be strengthened in the future.”
Having produced six wing sets in the past, IAI will deliver 12 wing sets in the first half of 2016, produced at its new automated F-35 wing production line at its Lahav Division, which puts out state-of-the-art avionics and weapon systems integration in fighter aircraft.
Israel Aerospace Industries has 16,000 employees and is wholly owned by the Israeli government. Although IAI’s main focus is aviation and high-tech electronics, it also manufactures military systems for ground and naval forces. Many of these products are specially suited for the IDF needs.