Lockheed Martin has announced the selection of Kitron AS of Arendal, Norway as an international partner for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). As a world leader in integrated development and production services, Kitron is ideally suited to lead the build of a key component of the F-35's core processing system.

Under the contract, with a potential value of $2.0 million over four years of the F-35 System Development and Demonstration period, Kitron will provide the Integrated Backpanel Assembly (IBA) for 15 aircraft.

The IBA will enable the Integrated Core Processor to provide critical communication paths for the aircraft's general processing and sensor activities.

The selection of Kitron also contributes toward strengthening the F-35 program's international partnerships and interoperability. Norway is one of the international partner countries participating in the JSF program.

As part of the initial JSF contract award to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in October 2001, Lockheed Martin's business unit in Eagan, Minnesota is under contract to design, develop, and deliver the F-35's Integrated Core Processor to meet the performance needs of the aircraft's central computer system. Kitron's Integrated Core Processor IBA contract will directly support this overall effort during the system development and demonstration phase.

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.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin