Source | Airborne

Airborne (The Hague, Netherlands) has been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin (Bethesda, Md., U.S.) under an Industrial Participation Program (IPP) on the development of enhanced composites automation systems. Under the project, titled “Enhancing the digital thread for composites manufacturing,” Lockheed Martin will share technical knowledge with Airborne to develop an automated laminating and kitting system to package complicated material types and shapes.

The project, building on Airborne’s advanced kit by light (KBL) and automated ply placement (APP) technologies, will advance smart material handling and intelligent automation in an aim to raise the benchmark for rapid aerospace production. It will also bring a new partner into the continued collaboration between Lockheed Martin and the Dutch industry.

The project plans to enhance Airborne’s already robust automation systems, focusing on higher production output, enhanced inspection systems, broader material compatibility and improved software integration. These developments will support the specific requirements of Lockheed Martin’s business units.

For more than 30 years, Airborne has played a leading role in the Dutch composites industry, initially as a manufacturer of composite parts and now as a developer of advanced automation systems for aerospace, defense, automotive and renewable energy markets.

“The Lockheed?Martin?Airborne collaboration will integrate smart material kit creation with advanced data?driven automation for a flexible production system that enables the next-generation of aerospace fabrication,” says Tara Thomasson, Lockheed Martin Technical Fellow.

It further reinforces the importance of international collaboration and a strong IPP partnership. “This project will be another successful win/win opportunity, giving Airborne the enhanced capabilities for their new kitting and laminating systems and Lockheed Martin will be able to procure these enhanced systems for our production lines,” adds Joe Krapf, Lockheed Martin Industrial Participation country manager.