ITT Matrix Composites’ HiRPM Technology Adopted into Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning Program

Matrix Composites, an ITT Inc. company, informed that its trademarked closed molding process, Hot Isostatic Resin Pressure Molding (HiRPM), is qualified on Lockheed Martin’s F-35 lighting program. In addition, HiRPM is now the established manufacturing process for all future F-35 aircraft and is used on select parts within the aircraft’s horizontal tail assembly. Airframe components produced with this innovative process flew for the first time in 2019. Matrix Composites’ HiPRM technology is a state-of-the-art molding process for advanced composite materials and offers very specific benefits over more traditional autoclave manufacturing typically used in aerospace and defense. HiPRM is designed for composite manufacturers of smaller and more intricate structures like critical edges, spars, and control surfaces. The company’s past performance on the F-22 Raptor and 26-year heritage in specialized composite processing led Lockheed Martin to select Matrix Composites to field closed molding technologies on the F-35 program. As a key supplier to the F-35 program, the Matrix Composites team worked with Lockheed Martin to create the company’s variant of a controlled-volume-molding (CVM) process. Benefits of the HiRPM process include: • High part-to-part dimensional repeatability • Reduced manufacturing cycle times with increased production yield • Reduces the need for expensive post-machining and other next-level assembly operations and recurring manufacturing costs For identifying growth opportunities for Composites in Global Aerospace Market, please visit http://www.lucintel.com/composites-in-aerospace-market-2017.aspx