This contract will allow Lockheed Martin to enhance its production capacity of the F-35 aircraft. Lockheed Martin, based in the US, has been granted a $172 million contract modification by the Naval Air Systems Command to expand manufacturing capacity for the F-35 aircraft. The contract will also provide specialized testing and tooling equipment, kits for modifying materials, and assistance with addressing life limitations, rectifying deficiencies, and retrofitting aircraft to incorporate next-generation distributed aperture system (DAS) hardware, along with associated power and thermal management system modifications.

The F-35 program has multiple international partners involved at various levels, including eight partners: the UK, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Turkey, and Australia. The program holds political, tactical, and strategic significance as it equips NATO countries with advanced and capable aircraft while extending the influence of the US defense market through a lucrative program for Lockheed Martin, as stated in 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, Navy, as well as foreign military sales (FMS) customers and non-US Department of Defense (DoD) participants. The work will be carried out in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed by December 2030. According to 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 largest 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 pilots’ 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, with an estimated revenue of $134 billion over the period 2022-2032. The company has made significant investments in improving the manufacturing process to ensure the punctual delivery of aircraft to its customers.