In the News

Two manufacturing firms with facilities in the area touted the importance of the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet's impact on national security Wednesday morning at Gentex Corp.. 

The aircraft, designed by Lockheed Martin, features stealth technology, advanced sensors and weapons capacity and range. 

Gentex is one of 63 companies throughout the country providing components for the F-35.

"It's next-generation technologies," said Robert McCay, vice president of aircrew systems for Gentex.

"We provide a modular helmet system which houses all the personal protection situational awareness capabilities to enable the aircrew member to complete the mission and have increased mission effectiveness. Everything is about lightweight, center of gravity to have that pilot have less weight on their head so they can perform the mission and survive if they need to eject."

McCay estimates Gentex has produced more than 3,500 helmets for F-35 jets, which include noise-reduction headsets and oxygen masks.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8, Moosic, who had an opportunity to operate a F-35 simulator during Wednesday's program was impressed by its advanced technologies.

"This is an amazing simulator and more importantly the F-35 is an amazing aircraft," he said. "It has the United States of America at the forefront of military capability in the air. This is sending a strong message to Russia and China that we still have the most modern capabilities in the world and that we will work together to deter aggression."

He also praised Gentex's employees for their ongoing commitment for the project.

"The contributions you're all making to our national security are absolutely vital," Cartwright said. "I'm proud of the folks here at Gentex who are really leading the world in cutting-edge technology for the F-35 helmet and for the good-paying jobs the program is bringing to our Commonwealth."

Cartwright, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, stressed the importance of continued funding for production of F-35's.