INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
WEBSITElockheedmartin.co.ukPeter Ruddock
Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin UK
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE
ROYAL AIR FORCE AS A
CUSTOMER TO LOCKHEED
MARTIN (LM)?
We have had a long, strategic relationship
with the Royal Air Force (RAF) for
over 50 years; from the C-130s to the
F-35s, Lockheed Martin has a key role
to play in delivering and maintaining
capability for front-line squadrons.
The United Kingdom (UK) has been
a key part of the F-35 programme from
the very beginning. As the only Tier
One partner outside the United States
(US), the UK is a valued member of the
Joint Strike Fighter team. Last year, the
United States Marine Corps (USMC)
chose the UK as the first place
outside the US to deploy their F-35Bs
when they participated in the Royal
International Air Tattoo, and that
demonstrates the importance of
the UK’s role in this programme.
HOW WILL THE F-35B ENHANCE
RAF CAPABILITY?
The F-35 provides unrivalled capability.
Its advanced stealth, sensor fusion,
exceptional manoeuvrability, unmatched
interoperability and intelligence,
surveillance, target acquisition and
reconnaissance capabilities mean that
the UK will have a tactical air power
advantage for decades to come.
The versatility of the F-35B to
operate not only from land bases and
remote locations, but also from the
Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers
will revolutionise the UK’s expeditionary
combat power and have a transformative
effect on the UK’s ability to defend itself.South Carolina, where they are being
put through their paces by members
of 617 Sqn who are working alongside
the USMC as part of a combined unit.HOW WILL THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE RAF AND LM
EVOLVE IN TERMS OF F-35
UPGRADE AND MRO?
Lockheed Martin’s involvement in the F-35
does not end when we hand over the
aircraft to the customer; it’s an enduring
relationship with our customer. Here in
the UK, we are working with our partners
BAE Systems and Balfour Beatty to build
specially designed facilities at RAF Marham
to support the fleet when it arrives in
the UK next year. As well as logistics
and maintenance facilities, we are also
creating an integrated training centre
containing Lockheed Martin simulator
technology to provide not only pilots but
also ground crew with F-35 training.WHAT FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
DOES LM SEE TO FURTHER
YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH
THE RAF?
Our relationship with the RAF extends
beyond aircraft. We already supply radar
systems that form the backbone of the
UK’s air defence system, ensuring the
safety and surveillance of our skies. We
play a key role in the UK’s Military Flying
Training System through our involvement
in Ascent, which is responsible for the
provision of both fixed- and rotary-wing
training to the UK Armed Forces.
And in the future, given Lockheed
Martin’s experience in both military and
civil space – from satellites to systems on
the ground – we see further opportunities
to support the RAF’s and the wider UK’s
requirements in this crucial domain.A KEY ROLE IN DELIVERING
AND MAINTAINING CAPABILITY
WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE
OF THE UK F-35 DELIVERY
PROGRAMME AND HOW
DOES IT SCOPE OUT INTO
THE FUTURE?
Currently, the UK is taking delivery of an
aircraft every couple of months. The UK
now has 11 aircraft, three of which are
currently stationed at Edwards Air Force
Base in California and are being operated
by 17(R) Sqn. A further eight are based
at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in“The versatility
of the F-35B will
revolutionise
the UK’s
expeditionary
combat power”