The Lockheed Martin -led F-22 Raptor industry team has received a $2.681 billion contract from the U.S. Air Force to build 13 additional air dominance fighter jets and to execute other activities related to the successful execution of Lot 2 production.

The 13 aircraft produced under this contract -- Raptors 4028 through 4040 -- are scheduled for delivery to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., by the end of 2004. Once there, they will be used by the 325th Fighter Wing to train both F-22 pilots and maintenance crews.

Under the terms of this contract, F-22 related production activities will take place at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facilities in Marietta, Ga., and Fort Worth, Texas, as well as at Boeing's plant in Seattle, Wash. Final assembly and initial flight-testing will occur at the Marietta factory where the F-22 program is headquartered.

The U.S. Air Force's Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is responsible for overseeing the successful execution of this production contract.

Built by Lockheed Martin, in partnership with Boeing, powered by Pratt and Whitney engines, and with the help from approximately 1200 subcontractors and suppliers in 46 states, the Raptor will replace the venerable F-15 Eagle starting in 2005. Its balanced design of stealth, supercruise speed, and super-agility, along with its advanced integrated avionics and overall user- friendliness, will allow the F-22 to help the Pentagon shorten future wars and save American and Allied lives.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, 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-35 JSF, F-117, C-5, C-27J, C-130, P-3 and U-2.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corp. is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. Employing about 125,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 2001 sales of $24 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company