falls under the company ’ s aeronautics division , the Lockheed team builds and assembles components that feed into the C130J Hercules , the longest running military aircraft production line in history . With thousands of square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space , Lockheed ’ s West Virginia team produces C130J parts such as the cargo ramp , landing gear doors , side panels and center wing beams . The skilled labor required to make these parts is a testament to the team ’ s skill and passion .
“ At our facility , we kit parts delivered to us from vendors across the U . S . and load them into floor-mounted assembly fixtures ,” says Saffle . “ From that point , we complete the process using tight tolerances and specifications and then ship the finished product to our main plant in Marietta , GA , for final installation . At Lockheed Martin , we ’ re a family , and we take honor and pride in providing quality , safe , efficient products to our military personnel .”
While Lockheed is a global company , its West Virginia facility has seen steady growth over the past several years . The company hires new employees nearly every year and supports an annual build rate between 20 and 36 aircraft .
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman designs , develops , builds and supports some of
the world ’ s most advanced aircraft , spacecraft , cyber security systems and radars from numerous facilities across the globe . At the company ’ s Allegany Ballistics Laboratory ( ABL ) in Rocket Center , WV , employees help design , develop and manufacture tactical rocket
Photo by Northrop Grumman .
WWW . WVEXECUTIVE . COM FALL 2022 65