Ralph Heath, vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, says he’s “not losing any sleep” over whether the F/A-22 or F-35 will survive the Pentagon’s Quadrennial Defense Review. “There’s a declining defense budget; … that’s a reality,” Heath observes. So, how does a company survive in such an environment? Heath says the trick is to “have a product that’s relevant to the customer’s needs” and “does what it’s supposed to do.” Both the F/A-22 and the F-35 programs are functioning well, on track, and delivering what was promised, Heath insists, adding, “We have our act together.” In his view, the company has provided no excuse for reducing either program on technical or performance grounds.
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.