US-based aerospace company Nordam has received a new order to manufacture spare leading-edge flaps for the US Navy's F/A-18 A-D Hornet fighter jets.
The company will carry out the contracted work through June 2022 as part of a five-year strategic agreement with Boeing.
The current deal is Nordam’s first F/A-18 manufacturing programme as a spares supplier to Boeing in support of the US Navy.
Nordam's spare flaps will help to change the aerodynamic profile of the F/A-18 A-D Hornet aircraft wings' leading edges for increased or decreased lift, as well as facilitate improved manoeuvrability during flight.
Nordam chief executive officer Meredith Siegfried Madden said: “As a global leader in component manufacturing for commercial and business aircraft, Nordam is well qualified to deliver the predictive performance this programme requires.
“It is our privilege to help improve the fleet readiness and mission capability of this military aircraft and our US Navy.”
Boeing was previously awarded a $238m contract extension for the provision of additional depot-level maintenance support and sustainment for the F/A-18 A/B/C/D/E/F Hornet and Super Hornet fighters in May.
The company is responsible for upgrading the fighter jets in order to keep them modern and mission-ready for the US Navy and the US Marine Corps (USMC) under the deal.
The F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather aircraft used primarily as a fighter escort for fleet air defence, force projection and interdiction, in addition to close and deep air support operations.
It is also used by seven foreign customers, including Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland.
