Lightning work at Samlesbury
22 Apr 2009
BAE Systems' site at Samlesbury will see £800m of investment over the next five years as it gears up for F-35 Lightning II production.
Kevin Taylor, Managing Director for BAE Systems' Military Air Solutions business, said that preparing for very large-scale production volumes of the new jet fighter would require major upgrading of the Samlesbury site and its infrastructure.
"We will need a new production area three times the size of what we have now, and we will have to improve the road infrastructure around the site too," Kevin said.
"It's a hugely important investment, generating short-term economic benefits as it is built and long-term economic benefits when completed."
As part of that investment, work on the new F-35 machining facility at Samlesbury will start within weeks after the signing of a £14m construction contract. The 9,000sq m plant, which will be known as 610 Building, will house equipment and systems for manufacturing titanium components for the F-35. The building will be ready to receive plant and equipment in March 2010 before becoming operational that September.
Jon Warburton, F-35 Delivery Machining Manager, said: "Of the 18 state-of-the-art hard-metal machines that will be installed in the new building, 16 will be linked by flexible manufacturing systems that will deliver maximum efficiency and performance."
Lee Nicholson, Construction Manager for Investment & Infrastructure Services, said 610 had been "future-proofed", with flexibility and ease of maintenance designed into both the building and the machinery inside it.
Environmental considerations were also important in the design. To reduce the carbon footprint and running costs, the building will feature energy efficient heating and ventilation, there will be full metering of energy use, water-reducing features are included and lighting will be controlled by motion and daylight sensors.
"In support of the Samlesbury site travel plan, a bus stop, cycle paths, cycle shelters and shower facilities will also be provided. A key challenge in any construction project of this size and scope is ensuring we work closely with the contractor to achieve the tight building programme with the right quality and on budget," Lee said.
Lee concluded: "It is also paramount that we continue to work closely with our F-35 customer to ensure the end product is fit for purpose and reflects the characteristics of a world-class manufacturing facility."