This agreement will allow Lockheed Martin to expand its manufacturing capacity for the F-35 aircraft. The Naval Air Systems Command has granted a $172 million modified contract to US-based Lockheed Martin, aimed at increasing the production capability of the F-35 aircraft. The contract will also include specialized testing and tooling equipment, modification kits for materials, as well as support for removing lifespan limitations, addressing deficiencies, and retrofitting aircraft to incorporate advanced distributed aperture system (DAS) hardware, along with associated power and thermal management system modifications.
The F-35 program encompasses various international partners involved at different levels. These partners consist of eight countries: the UK, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Turkey, and Australia. The program holds significant political, tactical, and strategic value, providing NATO nations with advanced and capable aircraft, while also extending the influence of the US defense market through a lucrative venture for Lockheed Martin, according to GlobalData’s US Defense Market 2022-2027 report.
Lockheed Martin’s modifications will be implemented on F-35 aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy, in addition to foreign military sales (FMS) customers and non-US Department of Defense (DoD) participants. The work will be carried out in Fort Worth, Texas, with an expected completion date of December 2030. As per GlobalData’s The Global Military Fixed Wing Aircraft Market 2022-2032 report, combat aircraft represents the largest segment in the market.
The US is projected to be the top spender on combat aircraft procurement, with an estimated expenditure of $211.4 billion between 2022 and 2032. Lockheed Martin’s F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft designed for various roles, including air superiority, ground attack, and intelligence gathering. The DAS enhances pilot situational awareness by providing a 360° view of the surrounding environment.
According to GlobalData, Lockheed Martin is expected to hold a 43.6% share of North America’s military fixed-wing aircraft market, generating an estimated revenue of $134 billion over the period of 2022-2032. The company has made significant investments in improving the manufacturing process to ensure timely delivery of the aircraft to its customers.