Lockheed Martin Showcases F-35 Cockpit Demonstrator during Company Visit at Northrop Grumman
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Aug 26, 2010 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] showcased its F-35 Lightning II mobile cockpit demonstrator to employees, stakeholders, local and state congressional dignitaries, and the news media yesterday at Northrop Grumman, an area supplier for the program.
"We believe it's important for our supplier companies and all F-35 stakeholders to learn about the revolutionary capabilities F-35 will bring to the U.S. and our coalition allies," said Stephen Callaghan, Lockheed Martin's director F-35 Washington Operations. "The F-35 is the most advanced, most capable multi-role fighter in the world. It is a critical national asset built by the employees of nearly 900 supplier companies, both large and small, across America."
"Lockheed Martin is a key, strategic customer, and we at Northrop Grumman are proud of this opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the F-35 program. This also gives our team members and the local community the chance to see, first hand, the value we provide to Lockheed Martin and our nation's defense," said Jeff Palombo, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division. "Northrop Grumman provides critical sensors used aboard the F-35 for situational awareness and combat survivability."
Currently, the program provides nearly 4900 direct and indirect jobs for Illinois and approximately $380 million annually in economic impact across the state. These employment figures and economic impact are anticipated to increase as the program reaches full rate production.
During the event, executives and employees from Northrop Grumman and other F-35 supplier companies, community leaders, and U.S. Congressional staff members received an update on the status of the program and "flew" the F-35 cockpit demonstrator. The cockpit provides a realistic, hands-on look at the F-35's stealth performance, air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities, sophisticated sensor fusion, and advanced computational capabilities. The program update included the latest information on flight test activity and an overview of ongoing Congressional budget deliberations.
The F-35 program has suppliers in 45 states, and directly and indirectly employs more than 127,000 people. Thousands more are employed in the F-35 partner countries, which have invested more than $4 billion in the project. Those countries are the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway.
Three F-35 variants are under development – the F-35A CTOL (conventional takeoff and landing) variant to replace U.S. Air Force F-16s and A-10s, as well as aircraft employed by seven allied nations; the F-35B STOVL (short takeoff and vertical landing) variant to replace U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18s, U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Harrier GR.7s, GR.9s and Sea Harriers, and Italian Harriers; and the F-35C carrier variant to replace U.S. Navy F/A-18s.
The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment, and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable turbofan engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2009 sales from continuing operations were $44.5 billion.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
Contact Information:
Lockheed Martin Media Contact
Dexter Q. Henson, + 817-655-7063; e-mail dexter.q.henson@lmco.com
Northrop Grumman Media Contact
Ellen Hamilton, +224-625-4693; e-mail ellen.hamilton@ngc.com
For additional information, visit our websites:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/player/42215-lockheed-martin-f-35/
http://www.northropgrumman.com