INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
A KEY ROLE IN DELIVERING AND MAINTAINING CAPABILITY HOW WILL THE F-35B ENHANCE RAF CAPABILITY? The F-35 provides unrivalled capability. Its advanced stealth, sensor fusion, exceptional manoeuvrability, unmatched interoperability and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities mean that the UK will have a tactical air power advantage for decades to come. The versatility of the F-35B to operate not only from land bases and remote locations, but also from the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers will revolutionise the UK’s expeditionary combat power and have a transformative effect on the UK’s ability to defend itself.
Peter Ruddock Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin UK
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE ROYAL AIR FORCE AS A CUSTOMER TO LOCKHEED MARTIN (LM)? We have had a long, strategic relationship with the Royal Air Force (RAF) for over 50 years; from the C-130s to the F-35s, Lockheed Martin has a key role to play in delivering and maintaining capability for front-line squadrons. The United Kingdom (UK) has been a key part of the F-35 programme from the very beginning. As the only Tier One partner outside the United States (US), the UK is a valued member of the Joint Strike Fighter team. Last year, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) chose the UK as the first place outside the US to deploy their F-35Bs when they participated in the Royal International Air Tattoo, and that demonstrates the importance of the UK’s role in this programme.
“The versatility of the F-35B will revolutionise the UK’s expeditionary combat power” WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF THE UK F-35 DELIVERY PROGRAMME AND HOW DOES IT SCOPE OUT INTO THE FUTURE? Currently, the UK is taking delivery of an aircraft every couple of months. The UK now has 11 aircraft, three of which are currently stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California and are being operated by 17(R) Sqn. A further eight are based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in
South Carolina, where they are being put through their paces by members of 617 Sqn who are working alongside the USMC as part of a combined unit.
HOW WILL THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RAF AND LM EVOLVE IN TERMS OF F-35 UPGRADE AND MRO? Lockheed Martin’s involvement in the F-35 does not end when we hand over the aircraft to the customer; it’s an enduring relationship with our customer. Here in the UK, we are working with our partners BAE Systems and Balfour Beatty to build specially designed facilities at RAF Marham to support the fleet when it arrives in the UK next year. As well as logistics and maintenance facilities, we are also creating an integrated training centre containing Lockheed Martin simulator technology to provide not only pilots but also ground crew with F-35 training.
WHAT FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES DOES LM SEE TO FURTHER YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE RAF? Our relationship with the RAF extends beyond aircraft. We already supply radar systems that form the backbone of the UK’s air defence system, ensuring the safety and surveillance of our skies. We play a key role in the UK’s Military Flying Training System through our involvement in Ascent, which is responsible for the provision of both fixed- and rotary-wing training to the UK Armed Forces. And in the future, given Lockheed Martin’s experience in both military and civil space – from satellites to systems on the ground – we see further opportunities to support the RAF’s and the wider UK’s requirements in this crucial domain. WEBSITE
lockheedmartin.co.uk