Aviation Week Market Supplement September 10, 2007

F-35: THE WORLD’S FIRST TRULY GLOBAL WEAPON SYSTEM ALLIANCE Kimberly Gavaletz, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for F-35 autonomic logistics and global sustainment, leads a team that is identifying depot-level service centers and aligning suppliers so that parts, equipment and skills are in place. These centers worldwide will replace items when necessary, returning failed parts to the appropriate manufacturer or government depot for repair. Suppliers and customers have access to the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS), where operational plans, maintenance, supply, training, reliability and support data are stored. ALIS uses offthe-shelf IT products. The effect of international coalitions was felt in forming agreements and identifying global service and support centers, as well as running models of the system. Each customer country and service branch had different scenarios for use, and modeling will be important as the F-35 takes on new missions. For instance, the U.S. Air Force in June indicated it considers the F-35 integral to its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance work, not just air combat. The models also will test the flow of materials and data. Political issues in the U.S. also have affected other nations. As Congress wavered on numbers of aircraft and lowered initial-rate production levels, the price per copy increased and delays mounted. Consequently, other countries have had to implement bridge strategies between their current aircraft and the F-35. At the same time, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet team stepped up efforts to show its value compared to the F-35, as the dollars for new aircraft became scarcer. Ongoing budget issues continue to drive up per-copy costs for all new aircraft the U.S. is buying. The KEEPING THE PROGRAM SOLD Sustaining the program also relies on keeping the Lightning II sold. “Having multiple partners has been a stabilizing, rather than a destabilizing, force,” says Crowley. Each country “has a common need for the aircraft and recognizes the need to keep the program on track for the good of all. Incorporating something ‘different’ represents an added cost for all.” That’s not to say all countries and team members agree on key technical, process or budgetary issues. Originally, the F-35 was to be powered by the F135 engine from Pratt & Whitney. GE and RollsRoyce proposed a second engine, the F136. The U.S. Congress has insisted on funding the second engine, despite the military’s objection. This has driven up program costs substantially. www.aviationweek.com/awst AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY MARKET SUPPLEMENT/SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 S13 http://www.vsi-hmcs.com http://www.vsi-hmcs.com http://www.aviationweek.com/awst

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