A MANUFACTURING facility marking a flourishing transatlantic partnership has been opened.

The new cell at the Lucas fabricated systems operation in Burnley will make launch canisters for the McDonnell Douglas Harpoon missile.

The US giant recently awarded Lucas sole supplier status for the aluminium capsules.

The new assembly and test facility will bring together work for launch capsules for both the ship and submarine versions of the Harpoon.

"We are delighted to extend our long-term relationship with McDonnell Douglas," said Mike Gardiner, general manager of Lucas fabricated systems. We work as one team and our new launch canisters have been introduced both on time and within budget, thanks to excellent teamwork between St Louis and Burnley personnel.

"This international teamwork is the key success factor for ensuring value for money for the taxpayer and future defence spend."

Bob Krieger, general manager of Missile Systems for McDonnell Douglas, flew over to England for the opening ceremony.

He said: "We actively encourage long-term commitments between trusted UK suppliers and ourselves and seek out ways in which we can help this along wherever possible."

Lucas was awarded Silver Supplier Certification by McDonnell Douglas in 1995 for quality and delivery standards.

The Burnley site has been making capsules for the submarine-launched version of the Harpoon since the early 1980s.

In January this year it won the contract to manufacture ship launching canisters worth more than $1 million during the first year of production.

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