Lockheed Martin officials say the company is in good shape to ramp up its F-35 production rate, with more than 30 aircraft currently in some phase of production, Executive Vice President for Aeronautics and F-35 Program Integration Tom Burbage told reporters at AFA’s Air & Space Conference Monday. The first three low-rate initial production lots include both domestic and international aircraft. The last LRIP Lot 1 aircraft—USAF’s AF-7—and the first LRIP Lot 2 aircraft—AF-8 and AF-9—are just about to leave the factory. Five Lot 2 aircraft are in the mating stations, while three Lot 3 aircraft—two short takeoff and vertical landing variants for the United Kingdom and one conventional variant for the Netherlands—are in assembly. Lot 4 includes two additional international aircraft, a third UK STOVL aircraft and a second conventional one for the Dutch. Burbage expects a resolution soon to the cost “uncertainty” that culminated last year and contributed to a major program overhaul. That, he said, should free movement on Lot 4.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.