Ferra Engineering, a manufacturer and integrator of complex mechanical and electro-mechanical sub systems and sub-assemblies, supports the unmanned prototype for the Royal Australian Air Force.
Brisbane, Queensland, April 20, 2020 – Ferra Engineering has been selected to supply precision machined components and sub-assemblies for the Loyal Wingman – Advanced Development Program led by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force.
“Ferra Engineering welcomes this collaboration with Boeing for the Loyal Wingman program, which demonstrates that Australia and Australian operators like Ferra can compete and be successful in the manufacturing and supply of complex systems on an international level,” said Aaron Thompson, General Manager of Ferra Engineering Australia. “Ferra and its 18 sub-suppliers are manufacturing hundreds of complex metallic precision components and sub-assemblies in support of the fuselage, wing, ruddervator and nose sections for Boeing’s Loyal Wingman program.”
“This type of local Australian input into a sophisticated aerospace platform adds significantly to Australia’s defence industry capabilities,” he said.
Ferra Engineering joins over 35 Australian companies in manufacturing the first military aircraft in Australia in more than 50 years. The aircraft rolled out the 5th May is the first of three prototypes for Australia’s Loyal Wingman program and serves as the foundation for the Boeing Airpower Teaming System product being developed for the global defence market.
Ferra Engineering has been a supplier to Boeing since 2009. This latest contract will help support more than 20 jobs for Ferra in Queensland, which is a supplier to a range of Boeing defense and commercial programs, including the Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM ER) wing kit for the 500lb weapon, as well as precision components and sub-assemblies for the F/A-18F Super Hornet, P-8A Poseidon, CH-47 Chinook and Boeing 737 and 747 programs. Ferra is also supporting Boeing Global Services.
“The Loyal Wingman is a historic development program for the Australian aerospace industry, Boeing and our entire industry team, and we’ve worked together with speed and agility to deliver this smart unmanned aircraft,” said Shane Arnott, Boeing Airpower Teaming System program director. “We’ve leveraged the skills of the local supply chain to build a Loyal Wingman which will work together with other airpower teaming assets to provide an unmatched capability for Australia and for our global customers.”
Ferra, founded in 1992, is an aerospace and defense company. Ferra specialises in the design, manufacturing, and assembly of complex aerospace structures and subsystems for commercial and military aviation which are supplied into many major global supply chains.
