After much moaning, Italy's workshare on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is starting to grow. Lockheed Martin has awarded Galileo Avionica (Hall 3, Stand E7-8) a contract for F-35 vacuum cell assembly. The component, which is part of JSF's electro-optical targeting system, will be made by Galileo Avionica's space business operations in Campi Bisenzio, near Florence. The contract, which covers the fighter's system development and demonstration phase and low-rate production is estimated at almost $13 million. The full-rate production work would be governed by a separate contract, but its value could top $50 million.
