UK's F-35 preparation ramps up
Lockheed Martin will deliver initial training, engineering, maintenance and logistics support for the UK's F-35 Lightning II fleet under an £80 million contract announced on 31 March.
The contract, awarded by the US Department of Defense F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, covers a three year period.
Lockheed Martin has sub-contracted work worth £40 million to BAE Systems, with the latter to take the lead sustainment role for F-35 Lightning II in the UK and Lockheed Martin to continue as prime contractor for global operations.
The companies will deliver the work from RAF Marham, providing engineering and technical expertise, delivering air-crew and ground-crew training, facilitating routine maintenance and helping to manage the jets' global supply chain.
Work is already underway to prepare RAF Marham for the arrival of 617 Squadron, which will fly the UK's initial operational F-35 Lightning II jets from 2018 onwards.
Andrea Thompson, F-35 Lightning II senior vice-president at BAE Systems, said: 'We are working hard to prepare for the arrival of F-35 Lightning II and this contract is the next step towards that reality.
'This contract builds upon our pedigree in delivering maintenance and support to the UK's fast jet fleets at bases across the country, including at RAF Marham where we have been supporting the operation of the Tornado GR4 fleet for the last decade.'
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