Airborne, Lockheed Martin Collaborate on Next Generation Composites
Posted: 2025-11-27
Source:
Airborne
The Hague, Netherlands, November 20, 2025 — Airborne has entered into a new project with Lockheed Martin on development of enhanced composites automation systems. Under a project titled ‘Enhancing the digital thread for composites manufacturing’, Lockheed Martin will share technical knowledge with Airborne to develop an automated laminating and kitting system to package complicated material types and shapes. The project will build on Airborne’s advanced Kit by Light (KBL) and Automated Ply Placement (APP) technologies.
Airborne is proud to announce it’s been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin under an Industrial Participation Program, bringing a new partner in the continued collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Dutch Industry.
Recognizing the need for greater agility in complex aerospace part fabrication, Lockheed Martin and Airborne launched a strategic collaboration to advance smart material handling and intelligent automation. The collaboration aims to raise the benchmark for rapid aerospace production.
The project plans to enhance Airborne’s already robust automation systems, focusing on higher production output, enhanced inspection systems, broader material compatibility, and improved software integration. These developments will support the specific requirements of Lockheed Martin’s business units.
For more than 30 years, Airborne has played a leading role in the Dutch composites industry, initially as a manufacturer of composite parts and now as a developer of advanced automation systems for aerospace, defence, automotive, and renewable energy markets.
"This collaboration with Lockheed Martin, one of the world’s premier aerospace technology companies, is a great vote of confidence for Airborne’s solutions. It will enable us to accelerate our mission of pushing the boundaries of automated composites manufacturing," said James McLachlan, Head of Sales at Airborne.
"The Lockheed Martin‑Airborne collaboration will integrate smart material kit creation with advanced data‑driven automation for a flexible production system that enables the next-generation of aerospace fabrication," said Tara Thomasson, Lockheed Martin Technical Fellow.
This project reinforces the importance of international collaboration and a strong Industrial Participation partnership.
"Lockheed Martin is excited to begin a new relationship with Airborne. This Industrial Participation project will be another successful win/win opportunity, giving Airborne the enhanced capabilities for their new kitting and laminating systems and Lockheed Martin will be able to procure these enhanced systems for our production lines," said Joe Krapf, Lockheed Martin Industrial Participation Country Manager.
"The fact that a Dutch high tech SME such as Airborne can team up with the international renowned partner Lockheed Martin, showcase their composite production systems, advance these to the ideas of the OEM, and selling them for the first time in the USA is an important step towards international partnerships. It is not only about innovation in products, but also about innovation of production processes, where the Netherlands Defense Technology Industrial Base (DTIB) can make a difference. That is exactly wat we envision with our Industrial Participation Policy in The Netherlands," said Jan Cristiaan Dicke, Commissioner for Military Production of The Netherlands.
About Airborne BV
Airborne is a global leader in automation solutions for the fast-growing composites industry, backed by more than 30 years of experience and two production facilities. The company specialises in industrialising composite manufacturing through digital automation and advanced composites production. Airborne’s mission is to make high-performance composite materials an affordable and sustainable choice for demanding markets worldwide.
More information: https://www.airborne.com/
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready.
More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
Airborne is proud to announce it’s been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin under an Industrial Participation Program, bringing a new partner in the continued collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Dutch Industry.
Recognizing the need for greater agility in complex aerospace part fabrication, Lockheed Martin and Airborne launched a strategic collaboration to advance smart material handling and intelligent automation. The collaboration aims to raise the benchmark for rapid aerospace production.
The project plans to enhance Airborne’s already robust automation systems, focusing on higher production output, enhanced inspection systems, broader material compatibility, and improved software integration. These developments will support the specific requirements of Lockheed Martin’s business units.
For more than 30 years, Airborne has played a leading role in the Dutch composites industry, initially as a manufacturer of composite parts and now as a developer of advanced automation systems for aerospace, defence, automotive, and renewable energy markets.
"This collaboration with Lockheed Martin, one of the world’s premier aerospace technology companies, is a great vote of confidence for Airborne’s solutions. It will enable us to accelerate our mission of pushing the boundaries of automated composites manufacturing," said James McLachlan, Head of Sales at Airborne.
"The Lockheed Martin‑Airborne collaboration will integrate smart material kit creation with advanced data‑driven automation for a flexible production system that enables the next-generation of aerospace fabrication," said Tara Thomasson, Lockheed Martin Technical Fellow.
This project reinforces the importance of international collaboration and a strong Industrial Participation partnership.
"Lockheed Martin is excited to begin a new relationship with Airborne. This Industrial Participation project will be another successful win/win opportunity, giving Airborne the enhanced capabilities for their new kitting and laminating systems and Lockheed Martin will be able to procure these enhanced systems for our production lines," said Joe Krapf, Lockheed Martin Industrial Participation Country Manager.
"The fact that a Dutch high tech SME such as Airborne can team up with the international renowned partner Lockheed Martin, showcase their composite production systems, advance these to the ideas of the OEM, and selling them for the first time in the USA is an important step towards international partnerships. It is not only about innovation in products, but also about innovation of production processes, where the Netherlands Defense Technology Industrial Base (DTIB) can make a difference. That is exactly wat we envision with our Industrial Participation Policy in The Netherlands," said Jan Cristiaan Dicke, Commissioner for Military Production of The Netherlands.
About Airborne BV
Airborne is a global leader in automation solutions for the fast-growing composites industry, backed by more than 30 years of experience and two production facilities. The company specialises in industrialising composite manufacturing through digital automation and advanced composites production. Airborne’s mission is to make high-performance composite materials an affordable and sustainable choice for demanding markets worldwide.
More information: https://www.airborne.com/
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready.
More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
