ZEELAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The F-35 Lightning II has been lauded as the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft and a Zeeland Company plays a significant role.
Woodward Inc, in Zeeland supplies key components such as the fuel nozzles, manifold and augmentor for the F-135 engine, plus numerous actuation and servo control components to the three F-35 variants, including the horizontal tail centering actuator, the canopy actuator, airleron actuators, multiple flight deck controls, and nosewheel steering.
At an event in Zeeland Tuesday, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 II interactive cockpit demonstrator was unveiled to members of the community , stakeholders, shareholders, government officials, local University Professors and the media. The F-35 cockpit demonstrator simulates the fighter aircraft’s advanced technologies and combat capabilities in an interactive environment. Lockheed Martin highlighted the F-35’s role in protecting national security and the program’s economic impact across the U.S. and within Michigan.
Zeeland Congressman Bill Huizenga was on hand to give remarks to the over 100 in attendance and to fly the cockpit demonstrator.
Huizenga spoke about the commission of the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. The F-35 B was is on the ship and Huizenga met with some of the pilots.
“It really is an honor to be a part of a congressional Congress that passed a bill to continue the work towards adding more of these F-35’s. I believe that the last appropiations bill we had was a total of 84 of them that were going in. Maybe more importantly in addition to that was the 2 1/2 percent pay raise we gave those in uniform.”
Huizenga went on to say that this is why Zeeland has more employees than it does population. People know this is the place to come. Huizenga said if you want high-quality, great workforce, West Michigan is the place to be.
Officials say the U.S. and its allies have invested in developing the the 5th Generation, international, multi-role fighter aircraft that will serve as a cornerstone of global security in the 21st century.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
Woodward, Inc. in Zeeland is an independent designer, manufacturer, and service provider of control system solutions and components for the aerospace and industrial markets
