Pappas Joins Elbit America’s Ceremony Marking the 3,000th Delivery of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Helmet

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Elbit America’s ceremony marking the 3,000th delivery of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter helmets and celebrating the Merrimack employees who were key to this milestone.

“American leadership is needed on the world stage, and a strong defense industrial base is crucial to that mission,” said Congressman Pappas. “The F-35 Helmet Mounted Display System helps warfighters stay safe and aware and allows them to complete their mission every time and come home. I was honored to join Elbit America and Collins Elbit Vision Systems today in Merrimack to celebrate the 3,000th delivery of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter helmet and thank Merrimack employees for the work they do day in and day out right here in New Hampshire to safeguard our men and women in uniform.”

“Delivering 3,000 F-35 Helmet Mounted Display Systems to our Lockheed Martin and F-35 Joint Program Office customers is an outstanding achievement,” said Andy Chiango, Elbit America’s Vice President of Merrimack Production. “Our Merrimack team has a direct impact on our nation’s defenders by providing this sophisticated equipment for the last decade, and we will continue supporting the F-35 Helmet Mounted Display System for years to come."

“The F-35 Gen. III Helmet Mounted Display System is the most advanced helmet-mounted display system in the world. The system’s next-generation user interface serves as a pilot’s primary display system, providing them with vital flight, tactical and sensor information day or night,” said Bob Hess, Elbit America’s Senior Director for Electronic Solutions. “This system is produced by Collins Elbit Vision Systems, a joint venture with our long-time partners at Collins Aerospace. Together, we all celebrate this tremendous achievement.”

Elbit America is a defense and homeland security technology integration company with 650 employees at the Merrimack facility, and this program has been in production since 2014. 

On Saturday, Pappas helped pass a national security package that included strategic support to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan and investments in the U.S.’s defense industrial base.