Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Chassis: A Potential Game-Changer in Military Aviation
In a bold move, Lockheed Martin is pitching its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as a viable alternative to the US Air Force’s (USAF) Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, claiming that it can deliver 80% of the capabilities of the NGAD at half the cost. This assertion was made by Lockheed Martin’s CEO, Jim Taiclet, during an earnings call earlier this week.
According to The War Zone, Taiclet stated that the F-35 can be upgraded to a “5th generation plus” capability, leveraging technologies developed under the NGAD program, which Lockheed Martin lost to Boeing. The company plans to apply these technologies to the F-35, enhancing its capabilities and making it more relevant for decades to come.
The proposed upgrades would involve significant modifications to the F-35’s chassis, incorporating new materials, geometries, and countermeasures developed under the NGAD program. This would enable the F-35 to achieve 80% of the capabilities of the NGAD at a significantly lower cost. As The War Zone reports, Taiclet described this upgrade as a “NASCAR upgrade,” suggesting a major overhaul of the aircraft’s capabilities.
Lockheed Martin’s decision not to protest the NGAD contract award to Boeing is also noteworthy. The company’s restraint in this regard is likely driven by its desire to maintain a positive relationship with the US government, which is a critical customer for its products. As The War Zone notes, Lockheed Martin has many other business interests with the US government, including unmanned systems, weapons, and command and control architectures.
The F-35’s chassis is being viewed as a highly adaptable canvas for future upgrades, reflecting a trend in the aerial realm. This approach could enable Lockheed Martin to comprehensively pitch its next step beyond Block 4 for the F-35, potentially leading to more exotic changes than previously anticipated. As The War Zone highlights, the USAF has already proposed a cheaper alternative to the NGAD, and a deeply reworked F-35 could fill this space.
Lockheed Martin’s engineers are reportedly confident that they can integrate NGAD technologies into the F-35, leveraging co-investment between the US government, allies, and the company. As The War Zone quotes Taiclet, “We have 70,000 engineers and scientists in the company working on really interesting stuff all the time. And some of the fifth-gen plus solution set is already being funded by the US government and the F-35 program itself.”
The proposed upgrades to the F-35 would focus on enhancing its sensing capabilities, stealth technology, and tracking systems. As The War Zone reports, Taiclet emphasized the importance of passive infrared and radar capabilities, as well as electronic warfare and countermeasures. The company’s goal is to create a “best value” equation, prioritizing scalability, affordability, and reliability.
As the world’s largest defense contractor, Lockheed Martin’s decision to double down on the F-35 is significant. While it remains to be seen whether the company can deliver on its claims, the proposed upgrades to the F-35 chassis are likely to have far-reaching implications for the future of military aviation.
In conclusion, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 chassis is poised to play a critical role in the future of military aviation. With its proposed upgrades, the aircraft could potentially deliver 80% of the capabilities of the NGAD at half the cost. As The War Zone notes, the company’s efforts to enhance the F-35’s capabilities are likely to have significant implications for the future of military aviation.
The article was originally reported by The War Zone.
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