Lockheed Martin displayed the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) cockpit demonstrator and full-scale model during the Korea Aerospace and Defense Exhibition here to present the capabilities of this Fifth-Generation multi-role strike fighter aircraft to an international audience.

During a briefing at the defense show, Lockheed Martin Vice President of International JSF Business Development David Scott updated reporters on the F-35 and highlighted other Lockheed Martin aircraft programs, including the F/A-22, F-16, C-130J and T-50. In describing the F-35's capabilities, Scott noted that the aircraft defines all the advancements of a true Fifth-Generation fighter, including stealth combined with fighter maneuverability and agility, information fusion, new levels of situational awareness and dramatic reductions in ownership costs.

"The strategic planners of many nations are looking for breakthrough, game-changing technologies to shape their future security environments," Scott said. "The F-35 JSF stands as a logical, real choice that enables air forces from around the world to affordably replace aging legacy fighter forces and to gain unparalleled dominance on the battlefield. The F-35 also provides long-term savings as its numerous global customers can share logistics, training systems, tactics and strategies with the alliances and coalitions of tomorrow."

The F-35 could be available as early as 2014 through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for countries not currently participating in the unique multinational development effort. The F-35 is being developed by an international contractor-government partnership consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan and the F136 turbofan from the General Electric Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team.

Scott also highlighted the world's only other Fifth-Generation fighter, Lockheed Martin's F/A-22, which the U.S. Air Force recently rated as overwhelmingly effective during operational testing. "Ground defenses could not engage the F/A-22, nor could adversary aircraft survive during the tests," Scott said, paraphrasing the Air Force's evaluation of the aircraft.

While the F/A-22 and F-35 are setting new standards, technology sharing among those aircraft and the F-16 are assuring that the Fighting Falcon retains its title as one of the most dominant fighters in history, Scott said. Two new models, the F-16 Advanced Block 50/52 and the F-16 Block 60, bring a new level of capability. Lockheed Martin also offers a wide range of upgrade options for existing F-16s ensure their combat advantage is maintained.

Addressing air mobility, Scott noted that the C-130J Super Hercules airlifter continues to demonstrate exceptional performance in global operations, with 180 aircraft on contract and 127 delivered as of June 2005.

In addition, Scott highlighted the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced supersonic jet trainer, which already has flown more than 1,100 sorties and has achieved 90 percent of its development objectives. The first five operational T-50s are in final assembly, with delivery of the first aircraft running two to three months early. The T-50 is being developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) for the Republic of Korea Air Force. Lockheed Martin is the principal subcontractor to KAI on the Full Scale Development (FSD) program. Lockheed Martin is providing technical expertise for the Full Scale Development (FSD) program and is responsible for developing the T-50 avionics system, digital flight control system and wings. KAI and Lockheed Martin have an agreement for joint international marketing of the T-50.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company