QUICKSTEP Holdings has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Melbourne-based Marand Precision Engineering for the Joint Strike Fighter program.

According to Quickstep Holdings, the agreement could lead to a $50m contract to supply Vertical Tail skins for the Joint Strike Fighter. This follows an agreement Quickstep signed with Lockheed and Northrop Grumman on 4 November 2009.

Marand Precision Engineering has an agreement with BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, Quickstep would manufacture around 700 pairs of Vertical Tail skins utilising advanced composites.

These skins would be supplied to the non-US partners in the JSF program, including Australia, the UK and Canada.