Rain and Sikorsky Collaborate to Advance Rapid Response Capabilities for Aerial Wildland Firefighting

The two companies will demonstrate how an uncrewed BLACK HAWK® helicopter with Rain’s Wildfire Mission Autonomy System could respond rapidly to suppress incipient wildfires.

-Rain, a leader in aerial wildfire containment technology, and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, announced this week at the UP.Summit a collaboration to explore how Sikorsky’s MATRIX™ autonomy suite operating with Rain’s Wildfire Mission Autonomy System can launch uncrewed helicopters to drop water on wildfires within minutes of detection.

“Combining Sikorsky’s demonstrated mature vehicle autonomy system with Rain’s early response capability will show how an uncrewed BLACK HAWK® or FIREHAWK® helicopter can quickly take off, fly to a suspected ignition, and drop water to suppress a wildfire in its incipient stage with no human onboard,” said Rain CEO Maxwell Brodie. ”Ultimately, Rain envisions equipping fire agencies with the capability to strategically position a future fleet of firefighting aircraft capable of receiving and carrying out mission commands.”

This collaborative effort will use Rain's Wildfire Mission Autonomy System to upload mission commands to Sikorsky’s Optionally Piloted BLACK HAWK helicopter with no crew on board for the fastest response time.

Brodie pointed to research showing that a 15-minute reduction in wildfire response times could generate $3.5 to $8.2 billion in economic benefits annually for the state of California alone.

Developed for more than a dozen years by Sikorsky Innovations, an advanced engineering group within Sikorsky, the MATRIX system combines a platform-agnostic software and hardware suite, including sensors, to ensure an aircraft flown with reduced crew or uninhabited can fly reliably and safely in low-level and obstacle-rich terrain. Even with no humans on board, an aircraft with the MATRIX system does not require a remote pilot or ground controller to command the mission via datalink, nor waypoints to navigate.

The first four F-35 jets arrive for Royal Danish Air Force

 

Denmark's F-35 fleet will bolster all-domain deterrence and advance 21st Century Security

The Kingdom of Denmark officially celebrated the in-country arrival of its first four permanently based F-35A Lightning II aircraft at Skrydstrup Air Base, Denmark.

During the ceremony, Lockheed Martin officially handed over the certificate of ownership of Denmark's F-35s to the Danish Ministry of Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization. More than 450 Danish and allied government, military and industry leaders gathered to commemorate the milestone, and over 8,000 local citizens participated in the Royal Danish Air Force's public open house. During the open house, the public learned more about the F-35's mission for Denmark, and industry suppliers and witnessed the F-35 and F-16 on flying display.  Braving the threatening clouds in South Jutland were also the Minister of Defense and the Crown Prince.

"Arrival of the first F-35 combat aircraft in Denmark is a historic event for the Danish Defence and the Royal Danish Air Force. It is thanks to close and professional cooperation between Lockheed Martin, the F-35 partnership and the Danish Defence, that Danish Defence now cross the threshold into the future of air defence," said Danish Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen.

Denmark has played a critical role on the F-35 program, joining in 2002 as a partner during the System Development and Demonstration phase, strategically influencing technical elements of the program. The Royal Danish Air Force also contributed a Danish F-16 to the Joint Strike Fighter 461st Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California where it served as a chase plane for the F-35 Development, Test & Evaluation program. Danish industry has also contributed to F-35 production, development and sustainment activities and today, is building parts and components for each of the projected 3,100+ aircraft to be manufactured.

Israel to get 25 more F-35 jets paid for by the U.S.

The Israeli government has approved the purchase of an additional 25 Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets in a deal which is said to be worth around $3 billion. 

These jets will form a third F-35 squadron and will take the number of F-35s in Israel's air force to 75. The Ministry of Defence said this deal will be financed through the defence aid package Israel receives from the United States.

Lockheed Martin and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney have agreed to involve Israeli defence companies in the production of aircraft components according to the Israeli officials. A move that will no doubt be closely monitored by the UK's Royal Air Force which could have impacts on the future security of the jets. 

Lockheed Martin, KAI Sign Teaming Agreement for Future T-50 Opportunities

Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed a teaming agreement for future T-50 opportunities, the newest partnership in the decades-long relationship between the companies.

“Lockheed Martin is an air power solutions leader, delivering capabilities across the entire spectrum of training and combat aircraft,” says Aimee Burnett, vice president, Integrated Fighter Group Business Development at Lockheed Martin. “We are proud to continue to partner with KAI on the T-50 to leverage our collective experiences to train the next generation of pilots to fly, fight and win"

She says the T-50 is a proven aircraft program that reduces the learning curve for new pilots and gets them flying operational sorties faster – even in fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35. That’s important as air forces around the world need to get their pilots up to speed faster than ever before, whether that’s to fill a gap in personnel or due to increased frequency of combat missions.

“That’s where the benefits of the proven T-50 program really come into play,” she says. “The seamless training experience with the T-50 gives student pilots an additional edge and fully prepares them – in less time than in the past – to fly any combat mission.”  

The program has reduced the number of required flights for Korean pilots learning in the KF-16 to only nine sorties. Feedback from many of the 2,500 pilots who have been trained in the T-50 across 3,750 test flights says it’s easy to fly and offers controls similar to other Lockheed Martin aircraft like the F-16 and F-35. This allows student pilots to focus their airmanship skills on improved aero performance, digital flight controls and next-generation air traffic management systems.

Additionally, a ground-based training system contains an array of innovative technologies to provide options for training in a simulation environment.

Digital Advances in Production, Sustainment

Marshall Aerospace wins deal for C-130 Hercules maintenance with Indian Air Force.

 Marshall Aerospace wins deal for C-130 Hercules maintenance with Indian Air Force.

                   Marshall Aerospace confirmed this week that it had won a new contract with Lockheed Martin to carry out the 12-year maintenance inspections on the Indian Air Force’s fleet of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

The deal will see Marshall perform in-depth maintenance inspections on the Indian fleet of C-130J while further strengthening their long-term relationship with Lockheed Martin. The aircraft were delivered to the Indian Air Force under the US Government Foreign Military Sales programme of military cooperation.

Curtis Jones, C-130 India Programme Manager, Lockheed Martin, said:  “It’s important that we can count on our longstanding service centre, Marshall Aerospace, to support one of the most active C-130J fleets in the world. Through an integrated team and dedicated support, together we can ensure the Indian Air Force’s C-130J fleet is available and ready for every mission.”

Neil McManus, Marshall Aerospace Managing Director said: “We are delighted to have been selected through competition to provide dedicated and comprehensive maintenance services to the Indian Air Force, whilst delivering committed support to Lockheed Martin in their broader Foreign Military Sales contract.

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Blackhawk helicopters to become Firehawks.........Changing the role of the S70.....

Sikorsky and United Rotorcraft have agreed on a deal that formalizes how both companies will collaborate to meet growing global interest in the S-70 FIREHAWK helicopter. 

An S-70 BLACK HAWK aircraft becomes a FIREHAWK helicopter when United Rotorcraft adds a 1,000-gallon (3,785-liter) water tank system, a raised landing gear, which is needed to accommodate the tank, plus associated integrated avionics. This is a process that typically takes six months and in months to come the firm will also offer composite water tanks in addition to the current aluminium ones. 

The agreement will enable the team to identify demand, and more quickly build and configure new production FIREHAWK helicopters for government agencies worldwide that require a highly effective solution to attack increasingly deadly wildland fires.  

“This agreement addresses a critical need to deliver the proven FIREHAWK helicopter into customer's hands in months not years,” said Jason Lambert, vice president, Sikorsky Global Commercial & Military Systems. “United Rotorcraft and Air Methods have taken a leadership position to advance the availability of this proven aircraft in anticipation of future orders from U.S. and international markets. This proactive approach is one that we readily support to meet future demand. Doing so also honors our founder Igor Sikorsky, whose vision that the helicopter be a unique instrument for saving human lives continues to be fulfilled.”

The agreement will allow United Rotorcraft to contract for bulk orders of S-70 Black Hawk® aircraft, much as it did in August 2021 with an initial five-aircraft order from Sikorsky. Four of the five aircraft will arrive at United Rotorcraft’s Englewood, Colorado completions facility this year from the S-70 production line at PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company in Poland. The first aircraft of the bulk order will be modified to the FIREHAWK configuration for delivery in 2023 to the State of Colorado.

“The success of the Firehawk helicopter in California to attack and suppress wildfires in their initial stage has spurred fire agencies globally to evaluate this unique asset, both as a firefighting tool and a multi-mission aircraft for year-round rescue and medical assistance,” said Larry Alexandre, United Rotorcraft president. “Federal, state and local legislatures facing wildfire threats are more likely to authorize an aircraft purchase if the aircraft is readily available. With Sikorsky’s assistance as aircraft manufacturer, United Rotorcraft and Air Methods are bringing the world’s most efficient medium-lift firefighting helicopter to the market at a speed not previously seen.”

For more information, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/firehawk.

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Thales selected by Lockheed Martin to supply up to 55 ALFS anti-submarine warfare sonars to the U.S. Navy and foreign navies.

Thales has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin as a tier-one supplier for the delivery of up to 55 airborne anti-submarine warfare sonars. The ALFS (Airborne Low Frequency Sonar)* dipping sonars will be installed on the MH-60R platform for the U.S. Navy and three navies. Delivery of the first 42 systems will occur over the next five years with a delivery of 13 optional systems to occur in year six.

Thales has delivered more than 300 ALFS sonars to the U.S. Navy since the early 2000s and this new contract with Lockheed Martin will continue to support the Navy’s readiness strategy. The navies of India, Denmark and Greece will receive their first deliveries of the ALFS sonar system through direct U.S. Foreign Military Sales of the MH-60R platforms.

First F-35A for Denmark takes flight

Earlier this week, L-001, Denmark's first F-35 Lightning II production aircraft flew its inaugural flight. Denmark is the fifth European NATO nation to fly and operate an F-35, strengthening NATO's 5th generation airpower foundation. Denmark is joining four other European nations who already operate the F-35: the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway and Italy.

Like the F-16 before it, the F-35 is spearheading NATO's air power and ensuring strategic integration of allied combat airpower. The vital interoperability of the 5th Generation F-35 binds 13 allies and partners with the United States in air dominance and enabling critical joint capabilities. The F-35 will serve as a force multiplier for Denmark, allowing the Royal Danish Air Force to train and fight alongside NATO allies and create a strong deterrent.

Lockheed Martin and Luke Air Force Base expand innovation

The 56th Component Maintenance Squadron’s Egress Systems Flight partnered with Lockheed Martin to work on two innovative technologies that aim to enhance F-35A Lightning II egress maintenance training.

Working closely with Lockheed Martin, the egress shop implemented the Virtual Reality Maintenance Trainer and the use of a full-size 3D print of the F-35 canopy. The goal of these new projects is to reduce the time for training tasks by 50 percent.

The Egress Systems Flight ensures the overall integrity of the emergency ejection seat system in the F-35A Lightning II.

U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin Complete Another Successful Hypersonics Test

U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin Complete Another Successful Hypersonics Test

The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin successfully flight tested the second AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) on the service’s B-52 Stratofortress out of Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Aug. 8, 2020.

This captive carry flight was conducted with tactical hardware and fully instrumented to collect thermal, mechanical and digital data from the flight vehicle. This is the first time a tactical ARRW missile has been assembled. Additional ground and flight testing will follow over the next two years.

“The team overcame significant challenges driven by the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve this significant milestone for the program,” said Dave Berganini, ARRW program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This captive carry mission is the pre-cursor for our first booster test flight planned for the early 2020s.”

Hypersonic weapons provide rapid response, time-critical capability that will overcome distance in contested environments using high speed, altitude and manoeuvrability. An operational hypersonic air-launched weapon enables the U.S. to hold fixed, high value, time-sensitive targets at risk in contested environments from stand-off distances.

Lockheed Martin has played a significant role in the research, development and demonstration of hypersonic technologies for more than 30 years. The corporation has made significant investments in key technology and capability development. We have developed deep expertise in the engineering of hypersonic systems and associated challenges through our work with manoeuvring reentry vehicles, air-breathing engine design, avionics, and aero/thermal flight sciences.

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Lockheed Martin Delivers F-35 Distributed Mission Training Capability

F-35 Simulators Connect for the First Time with other

USAF Aircraft at Nellis AFB

Lockheed Martin, the Joint Program Office and the U.S. Air Force successfully connected the F-35, F-22, F-16 and E3 Sentry in a highly contested simulated environment during a Distributed Mission Training final acceptance test at Nellis AFB, Nevada. This simulated training event was the first time these platforms were connected virtually. Additional platforms such as the F-15 can also connect into this shared virtual environment.

The F-35 DMT capability creates interoperability across military platforms for continuation training and large force exercises. The initial delivery at Nellis AFB is a major step forward as it establishes the framework for F-35 simulators around the world to interconnect.

Second KC-130J aerial refueler delivered to France’s Armée De L’Air

                        Lockheed Martin delivered the second of two KC-130J Super Hercules aerial refuelers to France’s Armée de l’Air on February 4th at the company’s Aeronautics facility in Marietta, Georgia.

France has received a total of four Super Hercules aircraft — two C-130J-30 combat delivery airlifters and two KC-130J aerial refuelers — through a Foreign Military Sale with the U.S. government. The two C-130J-30 airlifters were delivered in 2017 and 2018, and first KC-130J delivered in September 2019. All of these Super Hercules are operated in conjunction with France’s existing C-130H fleet.

“France’s C-130 crews have long demonstrated the unmatched and proven performance of the Hercules aircraft in support of critical missions,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. “This additional KC-130J expands the Armée de l‘Air’s already robust airlift and refuelling resources to not only serve as a national asset, but a global resource as well.”

Lockheed Martin and Airbus reaffirm tanker partnership at 2019 Paris Air Show

 Lockheed Martin and Airbus reaffirm tanker partnership at 2019 Paris Air Show

                       With an agreement in place to explore U.S. military tanking opportunities, Airbus and Lockheed Martin senior executive leaders met for some "tanker talk" during the 2019 Paris Air Show.

The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330 MRTT) provided the perfect backdrop for the meeting with (l to r) Alberto Gutierrez, Head of Military Aircraft, Airbus Defence and Space; Michele Evans, Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, and Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.