With the F-22 Raptor reaching U.S. Air Force Initial Operational Capability last December and the scheduled first flight of the F-35 Lightning II later this year, the 5TH Generation of fighter aircraft is now a reality. Lockheed Martin , which produces both aircraft, detailed some of the battle- changing advantages and unmatched capabilities the world's only 5TH Generation Fighters(TM) now bring to the United States and its allies.

Rob Weiss, vice president for business development at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, presented an in-depth look at the state-of-the-art attributes uniquely integrated in the F-22 and F-35 5TH Generation Fighters.

"5TH Generation Fighters represent a quantum leap in air-to-air and air- to-ground capabilities that provide an order of magnitude increase in operational effectiveness over legacy fighters," said Weiss who spoke with reporters at the Farnborough International Air Show here today. "These capabilities ensure air dominance for the U.S. military and allied joint forces from day one and for decades to come."

"5TH Generation Fighters are unique and revolutionary aircraft designed from the beginning to integrate a wealth of technologies for the first time into a single platform," said Weiss. "Advanced stealth, fighter agility, integrated information and sensor fusion and a new level of reliability, maintainability and deployability -- all are uniquely found in the only 5TH Generation Fighters in production or development today. These two aircraft are the only fighters that can survive and defeat threats of tomorrow."

Weiss said numerous analyses of tactical aircraft operations from a variety of government sources have all reached the same conclusions: 5TH Generation Fighters are significantly more effective than legacy fighters in all air dominance mission requirements and are the best value for the money.

Weiss explained that the F-22 Raptor's unique combination of stealth, speed, precision, agility, situational awareness, air-to-ground and air-to-air combat capabilities make it unlike any other military aircraft in the world. It is faster to the fight, two times more reliable and three-plus times more effective than the F-15 it replaces. The Raptor also requires 1/3 less airlift to deploy.

   Weiss also said that the F-35 Lightning II will be:
   * Four times more effective than legacy fighters in air-to-air
     engagements
   * Eight times more effective than legacy fighters in prosecuting missions
     against fixed and mobile targets
   * Three times more effective than legacy fighters in non-traditional
     Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) and Suppression of Enemy
     Air Defenses and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD) missions
   * About the same in procurement cost as legacy fighters, but requires
     significantly less tanker/transport and less infrastructure with a
     smaller basing footprint

"The synergy that results from combining stealth, speed, information fusion, situational awareness and the ability to work within and interact with a broad array of networked systems in a single platform represents a quantum leap in capability and survivability over previous fighters," said Weiss. "No other fighter in the world today besides the F-22 and F-35 can make those claims."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.

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http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company