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

The F-35 program has multiple international partners engaged at various levels. These partners include eight countries: the UK, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Turkey, and Australia. The program holds political, tactical, and strategic significance, as it offers NATO nations advanced and capable aircraft, while also extending the influence of the US defense market through Lockheed Martin’s lucrative program, as highlighted in GlobalData’s report on the US Defense Market 2022-2027.

Lockheed Martin’s modifications will be implemented on F-35 aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, 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. According to GlobalData’s report on The Global Military Fixed Wing Aircraft Market 2022-2032, 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 $211.4bn 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 significantly enhances pilots’ situational awareness by providing a comprehensive 360° view of the surrounding environment.

As per GlobalData’s analysis, Lockheed Martin is expected to capture a 43.6% share of North America’s military fixed-wing aircraft market, generating an estimated revenue of $134bn over the period of 2022-2032. The company has made significant investments in improving its manufacturing processes to ensure timely delivery of the aircraft to its customers.