The Curtiss-Wright Corporation has secured a $26-million contract to revamp the Belgian Air Force’s aircraft arresting systems.
The deal will provide new cable systems and associated services to support Brussels’ future F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft fleet.
Additional deliverables include spares, repair, and overhaul tasks for other military flight operations covered by the agreement.
Curtiss-Wright’s contract will encompass main and parallel runways across the air force’s Florennes, Kleine-Brogel, and Bevauchain bases, enabling uniformity across the sites’ configurations.
Moreover, the company will supply its proprietary ESCO SmartArrest system, a digitized version of its proven BAK-12 energy absorber, to automatically secure operations for various fighter jets.
Work will be facilitated by the firm’s Naval & Power segment, with the production of the energy absorbers in Aston, Pennsylvania, and the retractable hook cables as well as sustainment services in Merpins, France.
“As a leading global supplier of military aircraft arresting systems and support capabilities, Curtiss-Wright is proud to have the opportunity to build upon our existing relationship with the Belgian Air Force to provide new systems, aftermarket, and logistical services to support the availability and longevity of its arresting capability,” Curtiss-Wright Corporation CEO Lynn Bamford stated.
“In addition, this contract further demonstrates the growing demand for our technologies in support of our defense allies and partners in NATO.”
Future Belgian F-35 Fleet
Belgium’s incoming F-35s are part of a $6.53 billion US foreign military sale in 2018 to replace its aging F-16 Fighting Falcons.
In 2023, Lockheed Martin revealed the Belgian Air Force’s first F-35 unit in Fort Worth, Texas.
Brussels expects the delivery and full operational capability of all 34 Lightning II platforms signed under the procurement by the 2030s.
