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Kitron Lands IBA Contract for Lockheed Martin's F-35 Program
October 27, 2016 | KitronEstimated reading time: Less than a minute
Kitron has received a multimillion dollar contract from Lockheed Martin for production of Integrated Backplane Assembly (IBA) for the F-35 Low Rate Initial Production program, LRIP 11. Deliveries start this year and end in 2018.
The IBA is an advanced and complex high-level assembly.
"After years of supplying for the earlier stages of the low rate initial production program, it is good to see the volume increase to the quantities expected for full rate production," said Hans Petter Thomassen, Managing Director of Kitron Norway.
Norway is one of the international partner countries participating in the F-35 program. Under the manufacturing license agreement between Kitron and Lockheed Martin, Kitron will manufacture, test, maintain and repair the IBA in the F-35.
The F-35 Lightning II is a next generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, advanced mission systems, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and cutting-edge sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace various aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, and 11 international countries.
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Real Time with... SMTAI 2025: Navigating Manufacturing Challenges with Akrometrix
11/03/2025 | Real Time with...SMTAIMarcy LaRont and Paul Handler of Aktrometrix share insights from the SMTAI show in Chicago. They address manufacturing challenges, particularly warpage issues, and discuss Akrometrix's solutions. Paul details three optical technologies for measuring warpage and thermal expansion, emphasizing the need for reliability and defect detection in production. The conversation also touches on new industry standards for board warpage, influenced by OEMs.
Unlocking the Promise of AI in Electronics Manufacturing
10/29/2025 | Shobhit Agrawal, Keysight TechnologiesThe electronics manufacturing industry is rapidly evolving as more complicated products are introduced in the production lines, which require technological advancements even in the production processes. The requirements for production that is efficient, product quality that is greater, and product life cycles that are shorter are more crucial than ever before. In the electronic device life cycle, from design to maintenance, test phases have a significant impact on the economy of the company. Test processes are closely linked to the production volume and impacted by the complexity of the product. For businesses to maintain their competitive edge, they need to adopt innovative solutions and redefine processes.
Driving Innovation: Mechanical and Optical Processes During Rigid-flex Production
10/28/2025 | Kurt Palmer -- Column: Driving InnovationRigid-flex printed circuit boards are a highly effective solution for placing complex circuitry in tight, three-dimensional spaces. They are now indispensable across a range of industries, from medical devices and aerospace to advanced consumer electronics, helping designers make the most efficient use of available space. However, their unique construction—combining rigid and flexible materials—presents a fundamental challenge for PCB manufacturers.
TSMC Fast-Tracks Advanced Chip Technology at Arizona Plant Amid Rising AI Demand
10/27/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamTSMC said earlier this month that it’s speeding up the rollout of its most advanced chip technology in the US because of rising AI product demand and Intel’s growing competition, The Register reported.
SMTAI 2025 Review: Reflecting on a Pragmatic and Forward-looking Industry
10/27/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Leaving the show floor on the final afternoon of SMTA International last week in Rosemont, Illinois, it was clear that the show remains a grounded, technically driven event that delivers a solid program, good networking, and an easy space to commune with industry colleagues and meet with customers.