Lockheed Martin’s promotion of Dan Crowley on Monday to chief operating officer of the company’s aeronautics business unit, after five years at the helm of the company’s F-35 program, brings with it changes to another Air Force fighter project. Larry Lawson, after six years heading the F-22 program, moves over into Crowley’s old F-35 spot, while George Shultz, the company’s deputy general manager of the F-22 since 2008, now becomes it general manager. Ralph Heath, Lockheed’s aeronautics sector head, said Lawson’s F-22 leadership allowed that program “to set new records for fighter performance, operational test, factory deliveries, and performance-based logistics.” Tom Burbage, general manager for F-35 program integration, will keep his position, in which he works with foreign partners and their industry, and will coordinate with Lawson and “all Lockheed Martin corporate resources to ensure F-35 program success,” according to the company’s release.
Northrop Grumman has received a second B-21 bomber low-rate initial production contract from the Air Force, with which it has discussed accelerating production, the company said.