F-35A Lightning II wheel and brake (photo : USAF)
RUAG Australia secures inaugural F-35 wheels and brakes sustainment capability in Asia-Pacific region
With Phase 1 and 2 now successfully completed, RUAG Australia received JPO ATP and will now proceed into Phase 3 and 4 to become an official Depot Source of Repair (DSOR). The wheels and brakes sustainment capability will be exclusive to RUAG in the APAC region and support ongoing maintenance and sustainment of the fifth generation F-35 fleet. RUAG Australia will transition its highly skilled and experienced defence and aerospace technical staff from current legacy programs into the F-35 Global Support Systems (GSS). The ATP achievement is a critical step for developing Australia’s industrial sovereign capability and delivering our commitment as one of the joint partner nations in the F-35 Program.
“RUAG Australia is the first Australian industry Component Assigned Product Service Provider (A-PSP) to complete the F-35 JPO Depot Maintenance Development Plan (DMDP) process through Phases 1 and 2, and I congratulate you and your team in achieving this important milestone” says Kirrilee McNeill, Director Industry Aerospace Combat Systems Branch, Aerospace Systems Division.
Terry Miles, General Manager of RUAG Australia, notes “We have seized the opportunity to deliver reliable wheels and brakes solutions for the F-35 Program, by leveraging our expertise and long-standing success of providing MRO sustainment for complex aircraft components, and the fifth generation of military aircraft sustainment.”
“The Australian team has embraced continuous improvement and capability development at a local level to improve global competitiveness. Long-standing relationships with customers and business affiliates will strengthen RUAG Australia’s sovereign capability in the APAC region,” says Felix Amman, Executive Vice President, RUAG MRO International.
(RUAG)