Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has drawn a $27.9-million contract modification by the U.S. Dept. of Defense to “add scope” to a previously awarded contract for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, to provide program management for special tooling and special test equipment. The un-definitized contract also covers the cost of F-35 aircraft modifications and flight test instrumentation, for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy, and foreign defense forces customers.
Running through December 2028, the new modification is similar to one announced in January, under which DoD awarded a $678.4 million to Lockheed to procure various material modification kits, special testing and tooling equipment, and associated assets in support F-35 aircraft retrofits and modifications.
Lockheed is the primary contractor for the F-35, and recently reported it is delivering about 20 new aircraft per month.
At the same time, Lockheed is working to implement the Pentagon’s Technology Refresh-3 initiative for the F-35 – for new models and for hundreds of F-35s delivered and in service. TR-3 will institute 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.
Funds for the new modification will be drawn from each military branch’s budgets through 2028, and the work be carried out by Lockheed in Fort Worth, Tex.
