MARIETTA, Ga., Feb. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin
Corp. [NYSE: LMT] completed the first F-22 Raptor at the company's
Inlet Coating Repair (ICR) Speedline facility and delivered the
aircraft back to the U.S. Air Force ahead of schedule.
The U.S. Air Force contracted Lockheed Martin to establish the
Speedline in Marietta, Georgia, in
August 2016 and the first F-22
arrived there in early November. A second aircraft arrived in early
December 2016 and a third in late
January 2017. Lockheed Martin is on
contract to perform this work on a total of 12 aircraft and a
follow-on contract is anticipated. Additionally, Lockheed Martin is
providing modification support services, analytical condition
inspections, radar cross section turntable support and antenna
calibration.
Periodic maintenance is required to maintain the special
exterior coatings that contribute to the 5th Generation Raptor's
Very Low Observable (VLO) radar cross-section. The increase in F-22
deployments, including ongoing operational combat missions, has
increased the demand for ICR.
"The inlet coatings work, coupled with future improved Low
Observable materials and repair improvements, is a critical part of
increasing the 325th Fighter Wing's repair capacity and combat
readiness," said Lt. Col. Argie
Moore, deputy commander of the 325th Maintenance Group.
Lockheed Martin provides sustainment services to the F-22 fleet
through a U.S. Air Force-awarded Performance Based Logistics
contract and a comprehensive weapons management program called
Follow-on Agile Sustainment for the Raptor (FASTeR). As the
original equipment manufacturer and support integrator for the F-22
Raptor, Lockheed Martin works closely with the U.S. Air Force to
integrate a total life-cycle systems management process to ensure
the Raptor fleet is ready to perform its mission.
Lockheed Martin F-22 depot work is part of a public-private
partnership agreement between the Air Force and Lockheed Martin
that has been in place for nearly a decade.
About the F-22 Raptor
The F-22 Raptor defines air
dominance. The 5th Generation F-22's unique combination of stealth,
speed, agility, and situational awareness, combined with lethal
long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, makes it the best
air dominance fighter in the world.
For additional information, visit our website:
lockheedmartin.com/f22
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research,
design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of
advanced technology systems, products and services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company