Clutch contract for Goodrich

has been awarded a research and development contract to apply its advanced friction material expertise to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), Short Take-off, Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant's LiftFan clutch by

.

According to Paul Walsh, Vice President of Goodrich's high temperature composites team, "The F-35's clutch transmits power from the engine drive shaft, which Goodrich produces, to power the LiftFan which helps the plane perform short take-offs and vertical landings.

“Tremendous heat is generated during the short clutch engagement which is where our expertise comes into play. Our special high temperature composite materials function well in the extremes of this environment."

Goodrich has been supplying clutch friction material since the inception of the F-35 JSF program. This new research and development contract will involve Goodrich's high temperature composite team in Santa Fe Springs, California, its Aircraft Wheel & Brake team in Troy, Ohio as well as its Materials and Simulation Technical Center in Brecksville, Ohio, in the development of a longer life, higher performance clutch material.

In addition to this new research and development contract, Goodrich is providing the landing system for the Air Force's Conventional Take-off and Landing (CTOL) variant of the aircraft. As the landing systems integrator, Goodrich is responsible for the design, manufacturing and testing of unique landing systems for the STOVL and the Carrier Variant (CV) of the aircraft. Goodrich's Actuation Systems team provides the downlock and retract actuators for the landing gear system, and the wiring harnesses are also provided by Goodrich.