Northrop Grumman Corporation’s F-35 integrated assembly line (IAL) was named “Assembly Plant of the Year” by Assembly Magazine in recognition for the facility’s worldclass processes to reduce costs, increase productivity and improve quality. Northrop Grumman is the first aerospace company to receive this award.

Inspired by automation systems used by automakers, the IAL was designed and developed by Northrop Grumman, working with Detroit-based KUKA Systems Corporation’s Aerospace Division, a commercial automation integrator. The IAL is central to producing the F-35’s centre fuselage as well as driving new levels of efficiency into the manufacturing process, reducing process times, increasing precision and quality, and reducing production costs.

“Northrop Grumman has been a leader in designing, developing, and applying automated systems to the complex task of assembling modern fighter aircraft,” said Brian Chappel, Vice President of the F-35 programme for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “The IAL is one example, where Northrop Grumman maximises robotics and automation, providing additional capacity and assembly capability while meeting engineering tolerances that are not easily achieved using manual methods.”