On behalf of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and the F22 Raptor Team, I would like to commend Matrix Composites for exceptional supplier performance on the F22 Program.

After seamlessly transitioning more than 64 fracture-durability and wind-swept-surface critical components, Matrix was able to accelerate production while resolving numerous technical challenges and schedule hurdles. Your ability to rapidly transition and absorb this work ultimately enabled Lockheed Martin to deliver the Raptor to its customer on-time.

Working together with Lockheed Martin Procurement, M&P Engineering, and Planning as well as the various sub-tier suppliers located across the country, Matrix has managed to achieve and maintain a 99% Quality and 99% Delivery performance rating with UM AAeronautics.

Based on your exceptional record of performance and enthusiastic support, I would consider Matrix Composites to be a very valuable supplier to Lockheed Martin. We would again like to thank you for your outstanding support and look forward to the potential of expanding our business relationship on other aerospace programs as the opportunity arises, as well as any future potential with the current F-22 program.

Sincerely,
Rod Hogan
Sr. Mgr. Procurement

 

 

March 20, 2009 Sebring, Florida -In preparation of the 57th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring, Team Peugeot of Velizy Cedex, France called on Matrix Composites to provide a last minute assessment of the carbon fiber monocoque chassis of Peugeot’s No. 7 entry.   After concerns were raised about a possible structural problem, Matrix was able to perform a thorough on-site ultrasonic inspection of the monocoque chassis. The composite monocoque forms the backbone of Peugeot’s 908 HDi FAPs Le Mans series race entry is vitally important to performance and driver safety.  Peugeot was able to continue with their plans to run both vehicles in the event after positive results were obtained from the non-destructive inspection. 

After an exciting battle with Audi’s No 2 entry, Peugeot driver Sebastien Bourdais was able to hold on to a 2nd place finish. Peugeot’s No. 7 car took 5th after a transmission failure minutes before the finish at 10:05 PM EST.

Guillaume Cattelani of Team Peugeot said, “Matrix came through in a pinch at Sebring providing on-site non-destructive inspection of our 908 HDI FAP Composite Chassis…”

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Advanced Gun System (AGS) Radome – The U.S. military has developed an advanced artillery system which utilizes Matrix’s high temperature composite radomes.  The Advanced Gun System (AGS) is an integral part of the Navy’s DD1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyer program. Matrix supported all aspects of the design, development, tooling, and verificataion of this assembly and is currently supporting the SDD phase.

The radome is processed via the RTM process which required tool design decisions ahead of final part design.  This allowed Matrix to submit and clear first article three months after contract award. Projected build quantities are expected to exceed 20,000 over a ten year period.

Cape Canaveral, FL - Matrix Composites employees were treated to a VIP tour of space shuttle Discovery as preparations continue for a December 7 launch. The tour was arranged by veteran shuttle inspector Mr. CW Bailey of the United Space Alliance and included walk-downs of the Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Pad 39B.

 

Matrix Composites has been producing components for the shuttle since 2003. The Matrix team was given the opportunity to see the parts installed during the tour. An emotional Jennifer Walker said, “It makes me extremely proud to see my parts on the shuttle. To see how important they are to this program is just overwhelming”.

 

Discovery STS-116 will be traveling to the international space station to deliver the P5 truss segment and SPACEHAB logistics single module. This mission will be the 20th flight to the ISS and represents Discovery’s 33rd flight. More about the mission can be found at www.nasa.gov.

 

For more information about Matrix, contact Jayne Hoffmann at (321) 633-4480 or j.hoffmann@matrixcomp.com.

Rockledge, FL - Lockheed Martin Aeronautics awards Matrix Composites production contracts for critical carbon fiber composite structures on the F22 Raptor program.

 

The recent award will include the production of more than 60 aircraft delivered over the next three to four years. Various airframe, fuselage, and vertical fin components will be manufactured at the Rockledge, Florida facility utilizing state-of-the-art composite molding technologies.

 

In April of 2005, Matrix became one of only a few companies worldwide approved to manufacture resin transfer molded carbon fiber structures for the aircraft. Over the last year, Matrix has further demonstrated its commitment to excellence with the on-time delivery of 12 part numbers in support of production lots 5 and 6. The recent award will add 54 part numbers per aircraft to the build effort and will extend through lot 9 aircraft production.

 

“Our support of the F22 program exemplifies the advanced manufacturing technologies key to our growth strategy” said President and CEO David Nesbitt. “We have worked diligently to become one of Lockheed Martin’s top suppliers. The efforts have clearly paid-off with this award and we are thrilled to play such a vital role in the production of the worlds most advanced fighter aircraft.”

 

This latest contract, valued at $8.4 million, will cover production through 2010. Recent congressional approval of a multi-year procurement brings the total number of F22’s currently on order to 183. Additional sales beyond 183 are expected potentially taking the total tally up to 381 aircraft with deliveries as far out as 2014. The F/A-22 is being produced for the U.S. Air Force as the world’s only fifth generation fighter aircraft. Final assembly takes place in Marietta, Georgia with Lockheed Martin, its partners and nearly 1,000 suppliers in 42 states.

 

Matrix Composites Incorporated has been providing quality composites since 1993 and is an industry leader in the design and manufacture of precision composites for the aviation, medical, and space industries.

 

 

or Additional Information Contact:     Matrix Composites Inc, Attn: David Nesbitt

275 Barnes Blvd

Rockledge, Florida 32955

321 633 4480 Tel

or See these Web Sites:   

www.matrixcomp.com

www.lmco.com

www.f22-raptor.com