US awards initial spares contract for F-35 Lot 16 aircraft
F-35B Lightning II aircraft. (Photo: USN/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Burghart)
The latest F-35 contract modification for Lockheed Martin follows a deal covering ‘ancillary mission equipment requirements’ for Lot 15 and Lot 16 aircraft.
Lockheed Martin is to provide US Naval Air Systems Command with initial spares in support of F-35 Lightning II Lot 16 deliveries, plus spares packages for USAF, USMC and USN operators as well as FMS customers.
Work on the latest $397.73 million contract modification will be completed by December 2024, the DoD announced on 13 May.
On 5 May, the DoD revealed a $372.5 million contract modification for Lockheed Martin to meet ‘ancillary mission equipment requirements’ for F-35 Lot 15 and Lot 16 aircraft.
According to a Congressional Research Service report (updated on 2 May) on the F-35 programme, Lot 15 is expected to include 169 aircraft and Lot 16 covers 157.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Northrop Grumman advances airborne connectivity for US Air Force]()
Northrop Grumman advances airborne connectivity for US Air Force
Northrop Grumman's Software Programmable Open Mission Systems Compliant (SPOC) multifunction processor will help define the USAF's approach to next-generation airborne radio.
-
![US Air Force needs over 200 B-21 bombers, expert argues as maiden flight faces delays]()
US Air Force needs over 200 B-21 bombers, expert argues as maiden flight faces delays
The first flight of Northrop Grumman's B-21 Raider stealth bomber has been delayed, while experts argue the US Air Force is in need of more than 300 bombers as tensions heighten across the globe.
-
![Australian firm selected for US hypersonic test vehicle requirement]()
Australian firm selected for US hypersonic test vehicle requirement
Hypersonix Launch Systems will provide flight vehicles for testing under a US Defense Innovation Unit hypersonic programme.
-
![Slovakia to get US attack helicopters after donating jets to Ukraine]()
Slovakia to get US attack helicopters after donating jets to Ukraine
The US is offering a dozen AH-1Z Viper helicopters to Slovakia at two-thirds discount with the latter sending its fighters to Ukraine, which would likely extend H-1 production beyond 2023.
-
![Singapore at-sea deployment of F-35Bs can overcome airfield dependency]()
Singapore at-sea deployment of F-35Bs can overcome airfield dependency
Singapore could potentially deploy F-35Bs from its Joint Multi-Mission Ship to overcome airfield dependency and improve air defence as part of its apparent new security strategy.
