The strength of the F-35 program lies within the team of partners that work together to produce the most advanced and capable 5th Generation fighter aircraft in the world.
As the lead contractor and driving force behind the F-35 Lightning II, Lockheed Martin works in close partnership with three major industry leaders: BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, and RTX. Each partner plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of the F-35, from development and production to integration and sustainment.
With this combined expertise and dedication, the F-35 is ready to support allied nations in bolstering security for decades to come.
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BAE Systems
BAE Systems has been a part of the F-35 program since its inception, bringing decades of expertise into the development, manufacture, electronic warfare systems and sustainment of the world's most advanced fighter jet.
Their expertise in STOVL technology, developed from the Harrier, earned BAE Systems’ place on the F-35 and today they hold lead design authority on crucial capabilities including fuel, crew escape and life support systems.
The rear fuselage of every F-35 is built in BAE Systems’ advanced manufacturing and assembly facilities in England, with the horizontal and vertical tails and crucial components also manufactured in their UK and Australia facilities. In addition, they deliver key electronic systems onboard the jet, including the electronic warfare suite, vehicle management computer and Active Inceptor System.
Learn more about the role BAE Systems plays in the development, production and sustainment of the F-35 by clicking the link.
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Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a crucial partner in the development, production and sustainment of the F-35 Lightning II, producing the center fuselage for all three variants, AN/APG-18 AESA radar, wing skins and communications systems.
They also lead the industry team in mission systems, training and low-observable technologies, ensuring the F-35 remains at the forefront of 5th Gen fighter technology. Their systems serve as the F-35’s eyes and ears in the sky and provide the pilot with unmatched performance and situational awareness.
With nearly 100,000 employees and over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space across America, like the center fuselage Integrated Assembly Line and AN/APG-81 Progressive Line, Northrop Grumman is able to deliver at high production rates.
Learn more about the role Northrop Grumman's advanced manufacturing and discriminating technology play in the F-35 program below.
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RTX
- Collins Aerospace, as part of CEVS, provides the F-35 Gen III Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), which shows pilots what’s happening in the skies around them. Collins also provides the landing systems, global positioning systems and air data and sensing systems which allow the F-35 to operate with full situational awareness and return to base or carrier safely.
- Pratt & Whitney powers the F-35 with the F135, the world’s most advanced fighter engine with proven safety, readiness and reliability. Pratt & Whitney is also developing the Engine Core Upgrade (ECU), a fleet-wide engine upgrade that incorporates cutting edge technology and delivers the durability and performance needed to enable future weapons and sensors
- Raytheon manufactures the precision weapons it uses for air-to-air and surface-to-air missions, including AMRAAM® and StormBreaker®, and its sensor suite, including EODAS, provides 360-degree situational awareness and threat detection.ÌýÌý
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Want to learn more about the F-35? Go into the cockpit of the most advanced, connected 5th Gen aircraft by watching the video below!Ìý
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