NAVAIR orders F-35 gun depot repair
Lockheed Martin is to conduct depot-level repair work on the 25mm GAU-22/A four-barrel rotary cannon that is installed on Lot 11 production F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.
The $14.72 million contract from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) covers all variants of the F-35, operated by the USAF, USMC and USN, as well as Lot 11 F-35s flown by allied air forces.
Work will be carried out at three locations in the US for completion by November 2024.
The single 25mm cannon on the F-35 is made by General Dynamics. The electrically powered gun can fire up to 3,300 rounds per minute. Options include frangible armour-piercing ammunition made by Rheinmetall.
More from Air Warfare
-
Franco-German alliance aims to resolve FCAS woes by end of April as dispute rolls on
The disagreement between French-German industry continues as both governments work to keep the programme alive and on track to develop and deliver a sixth-generation fighter jet.
-
US Air Force is eyeing cost-effective automated counter-drone solutions
The USAF is seeking on-the-move systems, subsystems or technologies capable of defending airbases and fixed and semi-fixed sites against small drone attacks.
-
Long-range drone acquisition axed as Norway announces $11.75 billion spending uplift
Norway’s funding boost will help the country reach 3.5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035, with autonomous systems part of the long list of priorities alongside frigate acquisition and development of a new Finnmark Brigade.
-
Dormant helicopter programmes in Africa and Asia present opportunities
Growing capability gaps caused by ageing Soviet-era platforms in Africa and Asia are creating opportunities, as disrupted supply chains and sanctions open the door for Western manufacturers to expand into these markets.
-
Electric and hybrid aerial drone fleets are expanding their footprint
Advances in uncrewed aerial vehicles powered by renewable technologies are coming to the fore, with battery, hydrogen and solar propulsion challenging traditional fossil fuel-dependent models.
-
CH-47 Chinook: why the iconic helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender (updated 2026)
From its emergence as a ground-breaking design in the 1950s to its widespread deployment in diverse operations worldwide, the Chinook continues to leave an indelible mark on the aviation landscape. Shephard sums up the helicopter’s latest developments.