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Lockheed Martin Receives Funding F-35 Lot 2 Production
Fort Worth TX (SPX) May 28, 2008 The United States Department of Defense has authorized the release of funds to buy six conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A Lightning IIs for the U.S. Air Force, with provisional approval to purchase six short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35Bs for the U.S. Marine Corps following a senior leadership review and the inaugural flight of that variant. The 12 aircraft will be built in the second phase of F-35 low-rate initial production (LRIP 2). The $2.2 billion contract authorization comes after the Defense Acquisition Board's recommendation to release the funds and proceed with production. "We welcome the board's decision and their vote of confidence in the F-35 program," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program general manager. "We're seeing excellent progress on our production line, with 17 preproduction aircraft in assembly flow, the first two production-model F-35s already under way and unprecedented assembly quality across the board." Long-lead funds of $197 million for LRIP 3 were released on May 14 for at least 18 additional F-35s. The LRIP I contract for the first two F-35A production aircraft was finalized and issued in July 2007. The first F-35A test aircraft has completed 40 flights and has exceeded performance and reliability expectations. The inaugural flight of the first F-35B is on schedule for late spring/early summer. The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter. Three F-35 variants derived from a common design, developed together and using the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide will replace at least 13 types of aircraft for 11 nations initially, making the Lightning II the most economical fighter program in history. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt and Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Share This Article With Planet Earth
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Northrop Grumman and Central Florida Join Forces For Next-Gen Optics And Photonics
Linthicum MD (SPX) May 28, 2008Northrop Grumman has further strengthened its long-standing relationship with the University of Central Florida by forming a strategic research partnership aimed at facilitating the co-development of advanced optic and photonic technologies. |
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