Lockheed Martin today completed the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program hardware delivery with the installation of LM-STAR(TM) avionics test equipment at QM Systems in Worcester, England, and at Raytheon in McKinney, Texas.

This test equipment delivery initiates a "harmonization" program across the advanced fighter aircraft program, including Lockheed Martin, its avionics suppliers and F-35 JSF customers such as the U.S. Department of Defense.

"Test equipment harmonization will make it less expensive for our customers to buy and support complex weapons systems like the F-35 JSF," said John Hallal, president of Lockheed Martin Information Systems. "LM-STAR combines an advanced open-systems architecture, compatibility with standard test systems used by the DoD and international customers, and next-generation test capabilities with a web-based support system to meet the challenges of testing the world's most advanced multirole fighter aircraft."

In harmonization, all avionics manufacturers in the F-35 JSF program will use a common test system tailored to each firm's specific requirements. More than 85 stations are expected to fill the program's test requirements during the System Development and Demonstration phase of the program. Lockheed Martin's approach, when compared to traditional methods, is estimated to help customers save approximately $800 million over the life of the F-35 JSF aircraft program.

The LM-STAR test system was designed and developed by Lockheed Martin Information Systems, known for the manufacture of the Consolidated Automated Support System or CASS -- the world's largest military avionics automated test program. Lockheed Martin's CASS has been recognized by the U.S. Navy for savings of more than $3 billion over 10 years. More than 550 Consolidated Automated Support System and Reconfigurable Transportable Consolidated Automated Support System workstations are in use worldwide.

All LM-STAR production work is currently under way at the Orlando-based Lockheed Martin Information Systems facility.

The F-35 is a stealthy, supersonic multirole fighter designed to replace a wide range of aging fighter and strike aircraft. Three variants derived from a common design will ensure F-35 meets the performance needs of the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and allied defense forces worldwide, while staying within strict affordability targets.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 in conjunction with its principal partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate but interchangeable engines are under development by Pratt & Whitney and General Electric. Among the aircraft JSF will replace are the AV-8B Harrier, A-10, F-16, F/A-18 and United Kingdom's Harrier GR.7 and Sea Harrier.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corp. , headquartered in Bethesda, Md. Lockheed Martin 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 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.

For photos and additional information, visit the web site www.lockheedmartin.com/lmis

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company