On July 13, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company received a contract from the U.S. Air Force for Combined Life-Time Support (CLTS) for several major F-16 upgrade systems. The four- month initial basic contract, plus five one-year options, is valued at $52.5 million.

The aircraft to be supported include nearly 700 Block 40/50 F-16C/Ds involved in USAF's F-16 Common Configuration Implementation Program, which provides new avionics and cockpit improvements; the 370 European aircraft receiving similar upgrades in the F-16A/B Mid-Life Update program; and the modular mission computers for the approximately 150 F-16A/B Block 20 aircraft in the Taiwan Air Force.

CLTS transfers the responsibility for depot sustainment to the prime contractor and the original equipment manufacturers. The goal is to provide timely, affordable support, while avoiding the problem of diminishing manufacturing sources (DMS). DMS is a major challenge today in electronics systems due to the rapid evolution in electronic components. Contractor tasks include configuration and materiel management, parts repair, and DMS management and resolution.

The contract is a fixed-price agreement with a guarantee of 30-day turnarounds for repairs of subsystems and penalties for poor performance. Contract flexibility accommodates additional customers and equipment.

"This innovative support contract is very attractive for the customer," said Donald W. Jones, vice president of F-16 Programs. "It provides DMS solutions, opportunities for technology insertion, reliability improvements, a guaranteed repair turnaround time and a known cost for each customer."

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F-22, F-117, C-5, C-27J, C-130, U-2, X-33 and Joint Strike Fighter, among other renowned aircraft. LM Aeronautics is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation . Lockheed Martin is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics and technology services.

F-16 is a registered trademark of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

For information on Lockheed Martin Corporation, visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/.

For information on Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, visit: http://www.lmaeronautics.com/.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company