ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 4, 2026 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) was selected by the Army to continue on to Phase III of the Flight School Next (FSN) competition.

Moving into Phase III, Lockheed Martin also announces the selection of Robinson Helicopter Company to provide the R66 NxG helicopter as the training platform for the Army’s Initial Entry Rotary‑Wing (IERW) program.

“We are grateful for the Army’s confidence in our Flight School Next solution to move on to Phase III,” said Todd Morar, vice president of Air and Commercial Solutions, Lockheed Martin. “For years we have been refining a comprehensive solution that aligns with the Army’s vision for a modern, affordable and high‑quality training pipeline that will produce fundamentally better aviators.”

Lockheed Martin is competing for FSN as a prime training systems integrator responsible for designing, delivering and operating the IERW Flight School Next enterprise. This includes responsibility for training system architecture, performance monitoring, supply‑chain management and delivery of advanced modeling and simulation that supports live‑flight and synthetic training.

Robinson Helicopter, the world’s leading manufacturer of civil helicopters, will provide a fleet of R66 NxG along with spare‑parts, technical support and a dedicated training‑services package. The R66 NxG builds on the proven R66 airframe while incorporating a suite of modern upgrades that make it uniquely suited for Army aviator training.

“Our selection of Robinson brings a safe, proven and innovative platform to the table. We are fully committed to getting this right for the Army—investing the time, expertise and technology needed to accelerate IERW training and ensure aviators are prepared for their next mission,” Morar added.

Lockheed Martin draws on decades of experience delivering end-to-end turnkey training solutions— including the U.K. Military Flight Training System, Australia AIR5428 Pilot Training System and Singapore Basic Wings Course— proven to produce aviators who are fundamentally proficient, in the required quantities and at an affordable cost, as aligned to the Army’s FSN objectives.

“We are proud to be selected by Lockheed Martin as the platform of choice for the Army’s next primary trainer, a decision that aligns mission requirements with fiscal reality," said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. "The R66 offers a modern, American-made solution that ensures readiness at a fraction of the current cost. Its simple, responsive flight characteristics are crucial for mastering the fundamental stick-and-rudder skills necessary for any situation, ensuring we can support the Army’s stringent criteria for Flight School Next.”

For more information about Lockheed Martin’s solution for Flight School Next, visit https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/turnkey-training-solutions.html.

About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security^® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at lockheedmartin.com. 

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Leighan Burrell, leighan.burrell@lmco.com; +1 407-429-8609