Twenty-Four Add'l F/A-22s To Be Produced Over Next Two Years

Lockheed Martin announced Thursday the company has been awarded a $2.9 billion fixed-price contract by the USAF for continued production of F/A-22 aircraft through November 2007.

"As the Air Force has announced, we have concluded negotiations to produce 24 F/A-22 Fifth Generation stealth fighter aircraft as previously authorized in the FY2005 Defense Budget. This is great news for the Department of Defense, the U.S. Air Force and the nationwide F/A-22 Raptor team," said Larry Lawson, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F/A-22 program manager.

The new Lot Five production contract will increase the total number of contracted aircraft to 107. To date, 53 aircraft have been delivered to the USAF, and 66 have completed final assembly.

The Air Force is flying the F/A-22 Raptor at four bases across the United States and is preparing for Initial Operational Capability in December with the 1st Fighter Wing's 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, VA.

"This Lot Five production contract sends a great message to the nationwide industrial base for the F/A-22 Raptor," said Lawson. He added that each successive production Lot has achieved cost reductions, with the cumulative figure in excess of 10 percent.

"Our production stride and tempo is high and while there may not be more 10% reductions to achieve Lot to Lot, we're continuing to focus on cost reductions and efficiency improvements. If any team can find cost savings, this team can," said Lawson. "We understand our nation's and the Air Force's need for the F/A-22 and have worked diligently to reduce production costs without sacrificing any capabilities of this airplane."

"The F/A-22 Raptor has unmatched capability - stealth, supercruise speed, vectored thrust for agility, and unprecedented situational awareness. This capability is essential to maintain air dominance - the cornerstone of our national defense capability -- and will ensure our service men and women will still have the edge, regardless of the adversary, for the next four decades," said Lawson.

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