09/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/02/2024 18:09
Poland's PZL Mielec Advances Security, Industry, and Innovation
21st Century Security® is about more than just advanced technology. It's about global partnerships that strengthen international alliances, and a resilient industrial base that creates new opportunities for innovation and economic growth.
Polskie Zakłady Lotnicze (PZL) Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company, is consistently one of Poland's biggest defense exporters. With a robust network of suppliers and a state-of-the-art manufacturing center, it's also a shining example of where technology, partnerships, and industry intersect to advance 21st Century Security in Europe and beyond.
PZL's 1,650 employees build the S-70 Black Hawk helicopter and the M28 utility aircraft, and provide key components for the F-16 fighter jet at a state-of-the-art facility that includes a fully functional airframe production area, a final assembly production line, and completion and flight operations centers.
With more than 350 sites in 50 countries, Lockheed Martin has a significant presence around the world. PZL is the corporation's largest manufacturing facility outside of the U.S.
"PZL not only strengthens the security of Poland and our allies through aircraft like the Black Hawk and F-16, we're also fostering a robust supply chain," said Janusz Zakręcki, PZL's president and general director. "Our supply chain comprises more than 1,500 companies - 1,150 in Poland - that provide a wide range of materials, services, and components. That supports European industry, highly-skilled jobs, and economic opportunities."
PZL also provides a wide-range of aerospace services, including aircraft design, test and research, composite fabrication, plastic forming, special processes, production tooling, and aircraft painting in accordance with global VIP painting quality standards.
PZL's strong background in aircraft manufacturing and commitment to continuous improvement makes it an important element of Lockheed Martin's 21st Century Security initiative. One of 21st Century Security's top goals is to create a more diverse and trusted defense supply chain. PZL is of particular economic and defense importance, and contributes to the high export value of Polish defense technologies.
"PZL serves as an excellent example of leveraging the industrial power of an allied nation to build a stronger, more resilient supply chain," said Michael Williamson, president of Lockheed Martin International. "With international partners like PZL, the aerospace and defense industry can build a robust supply chain that withstands unexpected interruptions and is ready to scale to meet the needs of tomorrow's global security environment."
PZL and Lockheed Martin have invested more than $170 million in PZL modernization since 2007. Now, as part of Lockheed Martin's 1LMX digital transformation program, PZL is continuing to advance its modernization with a focus on aircraft production and additive and composite manufacturing. Recent innovative highlights include:
To spur innovation, PZL partners with 10 technology universities, academies, and research institutes associated with the Polish Lukasiewicz scientific network. Among them are Warsaw's Institute of Aviation and Kraków's AGH University of Science and Technology, and the aviation-focused Warsaw University of Technology and the Rzeszow University of Technology.