Aircraft AA-1 in preparation for engine fit F-135 engine on Marand’s R&I trailer (Then) Senator Hill congratulates Tony Ellul (Dir Business Development, Marand) after Avalon handover

On January 20, 2006 the Pratt & Whitney
F-135 engine was successfully installed in the first test JSF aircraft at the Lockheed Martin Fort Worth manufacturing facility using specialised handling equipment designed and built in Australia.

Installation, and subsequent removal of the engine, utilised the JSF Engine Removal and Installation Trailer/Engine Adapter Set manufactured by Melbourne-based Marand Precision Engineering.

Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney believe the milestone, achieved on time and on budget, represents a critical achievement in the JSF Program toward the first JSF flight in August/September 2006.

In June 2003, Lockheed Martin announced that Marand would be the first company in the world to receive a contract for the design and development of ground support equipment for the JSF. The Marand support equipment was specifically designed to meet the unit level engine installation and removal needs of the JSF Program.

Marand was contracted to design and manufacture seven JSF Engine Removal and Installation trailers. The trailers provide a stable platform to safely install, remove and maintain the multi-million dollar JSF engines.

In a ceremony at the Avalon Air Show in March 2005, Marand formally delivered its first trailer to Lockheed Executive Vice President and General Manager JSF Program Integration Mr Tom Burbage – the first piece of Australian equipment designed, manufactured and delivered to support the JSF Program.

According to DMO Director General New Air Combat Capability Air Commodore John Harvey the JSF Program is progressing well now that weight issues concerning the Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing variant have been resolved.

‘Additionally, Marand is a good example where Australian small to medium enterprises with established links in non-aerospace sectors have been able to diversify into the manufacture of aircraft components as a result of the JSF Program,’ Air Commodore Harvey said.

In early 2004, Lockheed contracted a senior automation consulting engineer from Marand into Lockheed’s Palmdale facility in California. Lockheed remains interested in Marand’s unique robotic automation production system, already used by the Ford Motor Company in its two Australian plants.

‘Marand is hoping to build on its proven performance in the JSF’s development stages as longer-term production ramps up,’ Air Commodore Harvey said.