Lockheed Martin awarded contract modification for F-35 canopy tooling

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has received a $18.6m modification to an existing contract to supply additional special tooling and test equipment for F-35 canopy production, according to the US Department of War (DoW).

This change increases the maximum value of the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract and supports production requirements for the US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Air Force, as well as participants outside the DoW.

The work under this contract modification will occur in Graden Grove, California, and is set for completion in January 2027.

The funding includes $5.7m each from the fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement budgets of both the US Air Force and US Navy.

An additional $2.5m originates from non-US DoW funds. Upon award, a total of $11.4m will be obligated, with that amount scheduled to expire at the close of the current fiscal year.

The award was made without competition, according to the DoW’s announcement.

The Naval Air Systems Command, based in Patuxent River, Maryland, manages the contract.

UK-based GKN Aerospace is the primary manufacturer of cockpit canopy for the F-35 Lightning II.

According to GKN, the canopy is constructed from a single piece of acrylic and includes coatings intended to maintain its low-observable characteristics.

The company delivers the finished transparency to Lockheed Martin, where frame construction, assembly, and installation are completed.

This modification follows an earlier $700.4m contract awarded to Lockheed Martin for procurement of long lead materials, parts, and components for F-35 production Lots 20 and 21.

The production scope includes orders for Denmark, F-35 Cooperative Program Partners, and Foreign Military Sales customers.