Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems will provide air crew, ground crew and mission planning training, technical and operational support; supply chain and maintenance capabilities.
Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) have signed a contract, named the Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise (LANCE) 23-27, to support the United Kingdom’s F-35 fleet. The contract, valued at approximately £147M, will enhance the availability and capability of the UK F-35 fleet to conduct combat missions worldwide.
Under the LANCE 23-27 contract, BAE Systems will serve as the primary subcontractor to Lockheed Martin. The joint industry team will provide air crew, ground crew and mission planning training; technical and operational support; IT support; supply chain management and expertise; and maintenance capabilities. The capabilities being provided will not only expand maintenance capacity but will also secure more than 140 UK jobs, mainly at RAF Marham, with additional roles contracted within the maintenance teams on site.
“The industry team worked closely with the Lightning Delivery Team and the JPO to provide a contract that will support the Lightning Force operations and the increasing inventory of jets. The services and expertise being provided via the LANCE effort will be integral to the daily operations and readiness of the Lightning squadrons of the Royal Navy and RAF. We are proud to partner with BAE Systems and Lightning Team UK and look forward to continuing support to the UK’s F-35 fleet.” Mark Perreault, Sustainment Senior Program Manager, Lockheed Martin.
The industry team worked closely with the Lightning Delivery Team and the JPO to provide a contract that will support the Lightning Force operations and the increasing inventory of jets. The services and expertise being provided via the LANCE effort will be integral to the daily operations and readiness of the Lightning squadrons of the Royal Navy and RAF.
“We are really proud to be able to build on and continue our successful delivery of support to the UK Lightning Fleet alongside our industry partners as part of Lightning Team UK,” said Dave Leach, Head of UK F-35 Sustainment, BAE Systems Air Sector. “We will support the continued growth of the UK Lightning Force over the coming years through the provision of industry skills and expertise on the F-35, along with our partner Lockheed Martin, whilst pursuing opportunities to drive efficiency across the broader UK Combat Air Portfolio in which BAE Systems has involvement,” he further added.
The LANCE contract will introduce significant capability enhancements critical to the generation of Air Vehicle Availability. Adopting lessons from the previous two-year ‘Operate and Demonstrate’ phase contract, LANCE 23 offers value for money while increasing the overall scope from the previous contract. With BAE Systems as the on-site lead, wider UK Combat Air portfolio synergies will be realized, and a culture of Continuous Improvement will be fostered.
“The signature of the LANCE contract is a significant milestone in the maturity of the UK’s F-35 National Support Solution and demonstrates confidence in Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems’ ability to enable the nation’s critical F-35 Freedom of Action capability and deliver the necessary support to the UK Warfighter. Adopting lessons from the previous two year ‘Operate and Demonstrate’ phase contract, LANCE 23 offers value for money, whilst also increasing the overall scope from the previous contract and introducing significant capability enhancements critical to the generation of Air Vehicle Availability. Additionally, BAES as the on-site lead ensures that wider UK Combat Air portfolio synergies are realised, and drives a culture of Continuous Improvement, marking out the MOD, US DoD and Industry as valued strategic partners.” Air Cdre Phil Brooker, Head Lightning II Delivery Team & Combat Air Principal Engineer, DE&S.
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Overall, the LANCE contract marks a significant step forward in the UK’s F-35 National Support Solution, with Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems delivering world-leading combat air platforms and critical sustainment services for the worldwide F-35 fleet.
