Lockheed Martin prepares to build another 133 F-35 combat aircraft

摘要

Combat aircraft designers at Lockheed Martin Corp. are preparing to build 133 new F-35 jet fighter-bombers for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, allies, and others under terms of a $903.6 million order. Officials of the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md. - the organization handling F-35 aviation technology procurement for all military forces -are asking the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics segment in Fort Worth, Texas, to provide long lead materials, parts, components, and support .necessary to maintain on-time production and delivery of 133 Lot 16 F-35 aircraft. The F-35 with its advanced avionics is a fifth-generation single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth mul-tirole jet fighter-bomber designed to perform ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, and air defense missions. It is one of the most advanced combat jets in the world. Long-lead items either are difficult and time-consuming to obtain, and are funded early in the aircraft design process to keep overall production on schedule. Contracts to build the actual aircraft will come later.The F-35 is to replace U.S. F-16, A-10, F/A-18, and AV-8B tactical fighter and attack aircraft. Lockheed Martin has been developing the F-35 since 2001. Lot 16 consists of 101F-35A conventional-takeoff and -landing aircraft, 32 F-35B short-take-off and -landing aircraft, and 24 F-35C carrier-based aircraft.