Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. (Photo: USAF/Airman 1st Class Ridge Shan)
Lockheed Martin has obtained a $584 million cost-plus-incentive-fee modification contract from Naval Air Systems Command.
The modification aims to add scope to provide system integration engineering for the development of new ASQ-239 EW countermeasure hardware in support of the F-35 aircraft for the USAF, USMC, USN and non-DoD users of the system.
The work is expected to be completed by April 2026.
The AN/ASQ-239 (manufactured by BAE Systems) extends detection ranges and provides radar protection, as well as providing the F-35 pilot with evasion, engagement, countermeasure and jamming options.
BAE Systems has been the EW supplier for the F-35 programme since 2005.
The image for this story was amended on 23 November 2021.
The takeover of the Italian firm by Baykar solidifies the company’s efforts to forge closer ties with Italian industry, bolsters its partnership with Leonardo to produce UAVs and secures its foothold in Europe.
The F-15EX Eagle II had already been singled out for further funding in January 2025, when it was chosen to replace the A-10 aircraft for the US National Guard.
Spain’s Defence Minister told the Senate Defense Commission on 27 June of the decision to acquire Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) trainers as the country seeks to replace its Northrop F-5M aircraft.
The company has tested over 15 mission sets for the drone, with the rotorcraft used to demonstrate the viability of armed forces utilising large uncrewed aerial systems’ (UAS) for autonomous missions in the future.
The US Navy’s answer to a sixth-generation fighter has experienced a range of setbacks and delays to the programme, with only $47 million in this latest proposed budget set aside for completing the aircraft.
The UAE’s Edge Group has been positioning itself as a key defence and technology partner to Indonesia, where it has been focusing on naval platforms, UAVs and long-term industrial collaboration.
Connect with us on socials
