Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) team received the first laser system for the aircraft's Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) from BAE Systems Avionics at a special event in Edinburgh, Scotland today. BAE Systems Avionics, a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin on the JSF program, presented the high-powered laser on schedule.

The F-35 JSF will provide the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and the United Kingdom's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force affordable and stealthy tactical aircraft for the 21st century. The JSF EOTS laser system enables precision-range measurements and designates tactical targets for laser guided weapons.

"BAE's accomplishment is a major milestone toward the successful delivery of the JSF EOTS, a system that will provide important new capabilities to aircrews," said Tom Simmons, vice president of Fire Control at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "We have come together on our JSF EOTS team to bring the laser experience and expertise critical to JSF program success."

Nick Franks, Group Managing Director at BAE Systems Avionics, added, "This milestone on the JSF laser program is testimony to the close collaboration between the program teams of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control and BAE Systems Avionics."

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