The U.S. Dept. of Defense issued a $678.4-million contract modification for Lockheed Martin to procure various material modification kits, special testing and tooling equipment, and associated assets in support F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft retrofits and modifications through 2028. The award will support the expansive project to upgrade hundreds of the fighter aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and the defense forces of more than a dozen allied nations.
Lockheed is the primary contractor for the F-35, and recently reported it is delivering about 20 new aircraft per month.
The fighter jets are being modified under the Pentagon’s Technology Refresh-3 initiative, which will apply more advanced flight control software, improved data-processing capabilities, greater computer memory, and enhanced graphical displays that will be compatible with the upcoming Block 4 upgrade to the aircraft.
Block 4 is expected to establish more advanced electronic warfare capabilities for the fighter jets by 2029.
