News Release
March 24, 2022
Curtiss-Wright Announces Successful Verification of Laser Peening Process on Lockheed Martin F-35B Fighter Jet
DAVIDSON, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today
announced the successful verification of the Curtiss-Wright Laser Peening
process on the airframe components of the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet.
Curtiss-Wright has been selected to help extend the life expectancy of the
F-35B, the short takeoff-vertical landing (STOVL) variant flown by the U.S.
Marine Corps and other allied nations around the world, by utilizing its
critical Laser Peening process. The verification was implemented by the Fleet
Readiness Center East (FRCE) at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC
and the first F-35B to undergo the treatment has been successfully returned to
the fleet.
“Curtiss-Wright is honored to be part of this milestone through the
utilization of our critical surface treatment applications, building on our
commercial and industrial capabilities to support the military’s premier
fighter jet program,” said Lynn M. Bamford, President and CEO of
Curtiss-Wright Corporation. “We are excited to be part of the team that
returned the first laser peened F-35B back to active service, and we look
forward to a long and successful relationship with all of the stakeholders
involved on other F-35 variants.”
The Laser Peening process was developed by the Curtiss-Wright Surface
Technologies Division, a leading global provider of highly engineered surface
treatments and analytical services. Laser Peening strengthens the aircraft’s
frame without adding any additional material or weight, which would reduce its
capability by limiting its fuel or weapons carrying capacity. The technology
has wide applications across the defense, commercial aerospace, commercial
nuclear and industrial markets.
A recently published FRCE press release talks about the successful completion
of the verification and return to service of the first aircraft to undergo the
procedure. In the press release Ike Rettenmair, the interim Fixed Wing
Division director at FRCE, said “the teamwork between FRCE, the F-35 Joint
Program Office, Lockheed Martin, Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies and
Northrup Grumman Corporation helped make the effort successful. We have a
great partnership between the working entities and that makes all the
difference.”
The verification marks FRCE as the first facility in the world capable of
conducting on-site laser peening modification on an F-35 aircraft. A second
facility, Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is now
also fully operational and the first F-35B will be processed at that facility
starting in April of 2022, followed shortly thereafter by the F-35C.
For more information about Curtiss-Wright’s Surface Technologies Division,
please visit www.cwst.com
About Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW) is a global integrated business that provides highly engineered products, solutions and services mainly to Aerospace & Defense markets, as well as critical technologies in demanding Commercial Power, Process and Industrial markets. We leverage a workforce of 7,800 highly skilled employees who develop, design and build what we believe are the best engineered solutions to the markets we serve. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing innovative solutions through trusted customer relationships. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com
Jim Ryan
(704) 869-4621
jim.ryan@curtisswright.com
Source: Curtiss-Wright Corporation