The Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise (LANCE) 23-27 contract was signed by Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office to sustain the United Kingdom’s F-35 fleet. The aircraft support contract is worth roughly $225 million, including options, and will ensure and improve the availability and capacity of the UK F-35 fleet to undertake combat missions across the world.
BAE Systems will serve as Lockheed Martin’s key subcontractor under the LANCE 23-27 contract, providing the majority of people at Royal Air Force (RAF) Marham and in deployed locations as needed. The collaborative industry team will provide training for air crew, ground crew, and mission planners, as well as technical and operational assistance, information technology support, supply chain management and expertise, and maintenance capabilities. The industrial team’s capabilities will not only increase maintenance capacity, but will also secure more than 140 UK jobs, mostly at RAF Marham, with additional roles contracted within the maintenance teams on site.
“The signing of the LANCE contract marks a significant milestone in the maturation 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,” said Air Cdre Phil Brooker, Head of the Lightning II Delivery Team and Combat Air Principal Engineer at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). “LANCE 23 offers value for money while also extending the total scope from the previous contract and bringing major capability advancements necessary to the development of Air Vehicle Availability.” Furthermore, as the on-site lead, BAES ensures that wider UK Combat Air portfolio synergies are realized, and develops a culture of Continuous Improvement, distinguishing the MOD, US DoD, and industry as valued strategic partners.”
Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor, and they collaborate closely with the F-35 Joint Program Office. Lockheed Martin, in addition to contract management, serves as the interface to the Global Supply Solution (GSS), which supports the F-35 Global Fleet.
“The industry team collaborated closely with the Lightning Delivery Team and the JPO to offer a contract that will support Lightning Force operations and the growing inventory of planes,” said Mark Perreault, Lockheed Martin’s sustainment senior program manager. “The services and expertise supplied by the LANCE project will be critical to the daily operations and readiness of the Royal Navy and RAF Lightning squadrons.” We are pleased to work with BAE Systems and Lightning Team UK, and we look forward to continuing to assist the UK’s F-35 fleet.”
The contract extends and increases the pre-existing sustainment service at RAF Marham, with BAE Systems acting as site lead and coordinating operations with Lockheed Martin.
“We are incredibly happy to be able to build on and continue our successful delivery of support to the UK Lightning Fleet as part of Lightning Team UK,” said David Leach, BAE Systems’ head of UK F-35 Sustainment. “At RAF Marham, as an industry team, we will support the continued growth of the UK Lightning Force over the coming years by providing industry skills and expertise on the F-35, alongside our partner Lockheed Martin, while pursuing opportunities to drive efficiency across the broader UK Combat Air Portfolio in which BAE Systems has involvement.”
Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems both have a long history of providing world-class combat air systems. As part of the program’s Global Support Solution, the F-35 program relies on industry partners to provide sustainment services for the global F-35 fleet, such as spares and repairs, technical support, training, and engineering services.
