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F-35B STOVL
Photo: Lockheed Martin
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FORT WORTH, Texas, December 22nd, 2009 -
The Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) program has announced that the
United Kingdom has received financial approval to purchase its third
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)
F-35B Lightning II operational test aircraft, reinforcing the U.K.'s continued commitment to the
Joint Strike Fighter program's upcoming
Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E).
"The U.K. this week received financial approval to go ahead and purchase the third U.K. STOVL OT&E aircraft that is planned within LRIP 4. Given the extremely tight financial climate in the U.K. government and the consequent impact across public spending, especially defence, this is a significant achievement," said
Air Commodore Graham Farnell, the U.K.'s Joint Combat Aircraft Team head.
"I believe it reflects well upon the JSF program and it is a measure of the confidence that the U.K. has in both the F-35 Lightning II and the program to deliver this capability."
This approval follows recent
F-35 down-select or procurement commitments by
Australia, Norway, the Netherlands, Italy and
the United States.
The strength of the
F-35 business case has enabled program suppliers to obtain the capital financing needed to recapitalize the industrial base and produce the
F-35 in high quantities over the next 30 years.
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F-35
Photo: Lockheed Martin
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"The United Kingdom's participation in F-35 Operational Test and Evaluation, and the associated commitment to purchase F-35s in early production lots, help ensure production stability as we move from the current assembly rate of one aircraft per month to our goal of oneper day," said
Matt Maxwell, Lockheed Martin director for F-35 Low Rate Initial Production.
The U.K. has invested
$2 billion in the F-35's development – the largest contribution among the program's eight partner nations.
More than
100 British companies are involved in the program, including
BAE Systems, which produces the aircraft's aft fuselage and tails;
Rolls-Royce, developer and manufacturer of the shaft-driven lift fan and other propulsion components for the
F-35B STOVL variant; and
Martin Baker, maker of the jet's ejection seats.
The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter.
Three variants derived from a common design, developed together and using the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide, will replace aircraft in at least 13 services for nine nations initially, making the
Lightning II the most cost-effective fighter program in history.
The F35 Lightning II is the next generation fighter to support the
US Navy, US Air Force, US Marine Corps, United Kingdom and the defense partners in
Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, and
Turkey.
Headquartered in
Bethesda, Md.,
Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about
140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
The corporation reported 2008 sales of
$42.7 billion.
Media Contacts:
Ann van Hooydonck
32 478 297 943
E-mail: ann.van.hooydonck@lmco.com
John R. Kent
817-763-3980
E-mail john.r.kent@lmco.com
Chris Geisel
817-763-2643
E-mail christian.g.geisel@lmco.com
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/-091222ae_f35b_jca-uk.html