The partnership with TLMAL echoes Lockheed Martin’s commitment to supporting India’s defence manufacturing capabilities
Hyderabad, NFAPost: Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) formally recognized Tata-Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) as a potential future co-producer of fighter wings.
A ceremonial event marking the first fighter wing prototype built at the TLMAL facility in Hyderabad was attended by Telangana Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Industries and Commerce, and Information Technology K T Rama Rao along with other government dignitaries; Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Global Business Development executives; and Tata Advanced Systems Limited and TLMAL leadership.
Lockheed Martin Integrated Fighter Group Vice President of Strategy and Business Development Aimee Burnett said Lockheed Martin partnered with TLMAL to build one of the most technologically complex aerostructures — a fuel-carrying 9G, 12,000 hour, interchangeable/replaceable fighter wing.
“This effort represents Lockheed Martin demonstrating to India, and to the world, the degree of confidence that exists in our relationships with our partners in India. Lockheed Martin is one of the only aerospace and defence companies with a complex aerostructure capability for advanced fighters in India,” said Lockheed Martin Integrated Fighter Group Vice President of Strategy and Business Development Aimee Burnett.
TLMAL — a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics — was established in 2010. TLMAL exemplifies the government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat ‘Make in India’ goals and serves as the single global source of C-130J empennage assemblies that are installed on all new Super Hercules aircraft. TLMAL recently reached the milestone of manufacturing and delivering the 150th C-130J empennage.
Lockheed Martin and TLMAL signed an agreement to develop a fighter wing prototype in 2018. Through this prototype project, TLMAL demonstrated the capability to perform detailed part manufacturing and delivery of a fully compliant representative fighter aircraft wing shipset.
This achievement further strengthens Lockheed Martin’s partnership with India; and supports its F-21 offering for procurement of 114 new fighter aircraft — exclusively for India and the Indian Air Force — by proving additional indigenous production capability.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Sukaran Singh said the successful completion of the fighter wing shipset prototype project is another achievement added to the partnership between Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin.
“With this, TLMAL creates a new benchmark in complex and end-to-end defence manufacturing in India that demands utmost precision and quality in all aspects of the process,” said Tata Advanced Systems Limited Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Sukaran Singh.
Lockheed Martin continues to build upon more than seven decades of association and three decades of partnerships with India by nurturing and expanding collaborations with local industry to support the evolution of indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystems, and further advance India’s strategic security and industrial capabilities.
These range from transport, maritime and fighter aircraft, to shipborne air and missile defence projects, as well as capabilities in civil sectors including new and renewable energy. Lockheed Martin India’s joint ventures, apprenticeships and founding membership of the India Innovation Growth Program underscore its conviction to Indian industry, talent and progress.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
About Tata Advanced Systems Limited
Tata Advanced Systems Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons focused on providing integrated solutions for aerospace, defence and homeland security. In less than a decade, Tata Advanced Systems has become a significant player in the global aerospace market, becoming the premier manufacturing partner for global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as the government of India’s Defence Research and Development Organization. It has capabilities throughout the entire aerospace value chain from design to full aircraft assembly, and is well positioned in areas that include missiles, radars, unmanned aerial systems, command and control systems, optronics and homeland security.