Lockheed Martin to Explore Coexpair’s Solutions to Improve F-35 Manufacturing

Why It Matters

The partnership could lower F‑35 production costs, strengthen Europe’s aerospace supply chain, and accelerate adoption of greener, high‑performance composites in defense programs.

Key Takeaways

• Lockheed Martin partners with Belgian Coexpair for F‑35 composites
• Coexpair's SQRTM 4.0 offers fully automated resin transfer molding
• Claimed 30% cost cut, 4× energy savings, 10× waste reduction
• Coexpair supplies ~$10.9 M equipment annually; targets $54.5 M turnover
• Partnership may expand European aerospace supply chain for stealth fighters

Pulse Analysis

The F‑35 Lightning II remains the backbone of allied air power, but its high‑mix, low‑volume production drives relentless pressure on cost and schedule. The fighter’s composite skin accounts for roughly 20% of its airframe weight, making material efficiency a critical lever. Lockheed Martin has been courting European suppliers to diversify the fighter’s supply chain and tap advanced manufacturing capabilities that can shave weight and improve stealth. By signing an MOU with Belgium’s Coexpair, the program gains a potential source of next‑generation composite structures that can be produced closer to European assembly lines, reducing logistics complexity and geopolitical risk.

Coexpair’s flagship SQRTM 4.0 platform combines Same Qualified Resin Transfer Molding with full automation and a proprietary software suite called Maestro. The system synchronises equipment, captures real‑time production data, runs process simulations and applies AI‑driven quality checks, promising up to 30 % lower part cost, four‑fold energy savings and a ten‑fold drop in material waste. Already deployed on Airbus and Safran projects, the technology has demonstrated reliability on civil aircraft, positioning it as a viable candidate for the demanding tolerances of stealth fighter components. Maestro also integrates digital twin capabilities, enabling engineers to predict defects before they occur, further tightening tolerances.

The collaboration could accelerate Europe’s move toward an eco‑friendly, high‑tech aerospace ecosystem. If Coexpair reaches its projected $54.5 million turnover, it would signal a scaling of advanced composite capacity beyond niche applications, potentially feeding other defense programs such as the Eurofighter or future unmanned platforms. For Lockheed Martin, the partnership offers a pathway to lower unit costs and meet sustainability targets, while reinforcing strategic ties with NATO allies. The reduced energy footprint also supports the DoD’s net‑zero emissions target for 2030.