Lockheed Martin has officially announced that it will not challenge the U.S. Air Force’s decision to award the F-47 contract to Boeing. Instead, the company plans to integrate technologies from its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) bid into the F-35 program. CEO Jim Taiclet has expressed confidence in enhancing the F-35 to a fifth-generation-plus capability, aiming to achieve 80% of sixth-gen capability at half the cost.
Despite losing the NGAD competition, Lockheed Martin has chosen not to protest the decision and will focus on incorporating the developed technology into both the F-35 and F-22 programs. The company envisions upgrading the F-35 to a “Ferrari” by enhancing its stealth, tracking systems, and weaponry to significantly boost its performance.
While the F-35 program has faced delays and cost overruns, Lockheed Martin has completed 98% of the necessary Technology Refresh-3 (TR-3) upgrades for future improvements. However, the company has not specified a timeline for when the system will be ready for combat.
Despite being excluded from sixth-generation fighter programs after losing the F-47 contract and the Navy’s F/A-XX efforts, Lockheed Martin remains committed to producing 156 aircraft annually. The company is optimistic about international sales opportunities, which it believes can offset any potential reduction in U.S. production levels.
In conclusion, Lockheed Martin is focused on adapting to the changes in military procurement and maintaining its production rate through a combination of domestic and international sales.
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