The US Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a $74.2-million contract modification to integrate UK- and Italy-specific weapon systems into the F-35A and F-35B as part of the Joint Strike Fighter program’s Block 4 modernization.
Lockheed Martin will carry out the integrations from system functional review through completion of development testing, supporting continued capability upgrades to the F-35 Lightning II.
In addition, the contract covers work on a common tactical data recorder for the F-35A (conventional takeoff), F-35B (short takeoff/vertical landing), and F-35C (carrier-based) variants.
Work will be performed across several locations, with 51 percent in Samlesbury, UK, 24 percent in Fort Worth, Texas, and various other locations across the US.
Completion is expected by December 2032.
European Weapons on the F-35
The UK currently operates a fleet of F-35B aircraft and has announced plans to acquire 12 F-35As capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
While the Pentagon’s contract announcement did not specify the weapons involved, the UK is publicly known to have been testing MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and the SPEAR 3 air-to-ground miniature cruise missiles on the F-35B stealth fighter.
Italy operates both the F-35A and the F-35B. Following additional F-35 orders in 2024, Rome plans to expand to a 115-strong fleet.
The country is also supporting the integration of the Meteor missile on the F-35A, complementing the UK’s work on the F-35B.
The effort also reflects Italy’s broader role in the F-35 program, which includes operating a final assembly and check out facility at Cameri in the country’s north that assembles aircraft and supports sustainment for European operators.
