Several industrial partners in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program joined in a panel discussion today to report progress and their roles in the global aircraft development project.

"Global cooperation is defining the F-35 JSF program," said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and general manager of the F-35 JSF program. "No fighter project in history has had such deep international involvement from the outset, both politically and industrially. We expect that situation not only to continue, but to grow. As the program moves from development into production, those countries will begin to benefit from the F-35 program's tremendous economies of scale."

At the Farnborough International Air Show's F-35 Industrial Partner Panel, Burbage said eight nations are partnering to develop the stealthy, next- generation F-35: the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Australia. Within those countries, industries have risen to the F-35 program's "best-value" challenge, which requires suppliers to compete for work by offering the highest quality product at the best price.

Joining Burbage on the panel were representatives of F-35 industrial partners, including Rolls-Royce's John Boughton, director of new business development for the United Kingdom; Goodrich's Pat McDonald, director of new business development for the United States; Mark Scherrer, chief executive officer of the Australian firm Fere; and Osman Okyay, chief executive officer of Turkey's Kale Kalip.

"These companies and many other suppliers worldwide are competing and winning work on a best-value basis, which ensures that the F-35 will meet rigorous quality standards while maintaining its affordability," Burbage said.

Three F-35 variants -- conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), carrier vehicle (CV) and STOVL -- each derived from a common design will ensure that the 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 industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE SYSTEMS. Companies worldwide are participating in the F-35's development. Among the aircraft the F-35 will replace are the AV-8B Harrier, A-10, F-16, F/A-18 Hornet and the United Kingdom's Harrier GR.7 and Sea Harrier.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, research and 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/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2. The company produces major components for the F-2 fighter, and is a co-developer of the C-27J tactical transport and T-50 advanced jet trainer.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company