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The first phase of a new state-of-the-art coatings facility at Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia, that incorporates the latest robotics technology to improve coating, or painting, of the F/A-22 subassemblies opened in late July. The subassembly coatings facility is where technicians will “paint” the aircraft’s mid and aft fuselages, wings, vertical stabilizers, and other components during the aircraft’s new streamlined final assembly process. This new coatings facility is part of a $44 million capital investment by the F/A-22 program at the Marietta facility.
Phase one of the building consists of one bay with two large paint booths, each equipped with two automotive industry-type paint robots. Eventually, eight new booths will be installed to coat the major sub-assemblies of the Raptor. As designed, the facility is approximately 150,000 square feet. Scheduled for completion in phases, the second and third phases of the facility will be operational in spring 2003 and fall 2004, respectively, to support increased F-22 production rates. Approximately 100 people will be needed to run the facility when it is fully operational.
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