The first squadron of F-35 Lightning IIs will go operational in 2012, but the system that will serve as the information backbone of the F-35 maintenance and support network is now up and running.

The F-35 Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) was formally switched on today during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics headquarters in Fort Worth. The ALIS environment, developed in conjunction with Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support, will start by capturing real time flight test data from Lightning II test aircraft.

"No such system has ever been activated so early in a military aircraft program, and with up to 4,500 F-35s to support in the coming years, the magnitude of its importance is clear," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program general manager.

"Historically, operation and support have accounted for about two-thirds of a fighter's lifecycle costs. F-35 aims to reduce those expenses significantly, starting with an extremely reliable aircraft and our sophisticated data management system, ALIS," said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and general manager of F-35 Program Integration.

"Each F-35 will constantly monitor its own systems and automatically relay information to ALIS. In turn, ALIS will provide an information infrastructure that captures, analyzes, identifies and communicates F-35 characteristics and data, providing information and decision support for every Lightning II user worldwide, on land or at sea," said Kimberly Gavaletz, Lockheed Martin vice president for F-35 Autonomic Logistics and Global Sustainment.

The stealthy and supersonic Lightning II is one of two 5TH generation fighters in the world, along with the F-22 Raptor. The first F-35 is undergoing airborne testing and has completed 17 flights to date. Eleven additional Lightning II test aircraft currently are in production. Lockheed Martin is developing the Lightning II with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Lockheed Martin is a major supplier of logistics systems and services to military and civil government customers. The corporation provides solutions for platform maintenance and repair, material readiness and distribution, and global supply chain command and control.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 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 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.

  F-35 and Lightning II are trademarks of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

             For additional information, visit our Web site:
                      http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: karen.l.hagar@lmco.com

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company