LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION - F-2 DEFENCE FIGHTER, AIRCRAFT SUB ASSEMBLIES, GPS III SPACE SYSTEM

Lockheed Martin is a lead systems integrator and information technology company based in Bethesda, Maryland. The company employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. federal government agencies are the major business providers to the company. Lockheed Martin provides IT services, systems integration, and training to the U.S. Government. The company also provides business to other international governments.

F-2 Defence Fighter

The F-2 Defence fighter is a multi-role, single-engine fighter aircraft designed and developed for the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF). The F-2 Defence fighter is jointly produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and other Japan and United States industries. Based on the design of the Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon, the F-2 Defence fighter is modeled to meet the requirements of JASDF. The F-2 Defence fighter can serve both air-to-air and air-to-surface roles. But the purpose of protecting Japan's sea space has led to customization of F-2 Defence fighter's air-to-surface roles. The F-2 Defence fighter covers a wing area larger than 25 percent of the F-16 wing area. The larger wing of F-2 defence fighter provides additional internal fuel storage and two more weapon store stations than the F-16. In addition to the larger wing area, the F-2 Defence fighter fuselage is approximately 17 inches longer than that of the F-16.

Aircraft Sub-assemblies

Aircraft construction begins with the assembling of detail parts into aircraft sub-assemblies. Positioned adjacent to one another these aircraft sub-assemblies make the final assembly of the aircraft. To prevent these aircraft sub-assemblies from a wrong location and position, tooling fixtures are used throughout the assembly process. Tooling fixtures locate the detail parts of aircraft sub-assemblies, and then these are attached to mating aircraft structure. In addition to tooling fixtures, detail parts and aircraft sub-assemblies often include interface control points to properly locate mating aircraft structure. Three-dimensional locating methods, such as laser optical positioning systems, are used to prevent misallocating or misaligning detail parts or aircraft sub-assemblies during assembly. Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina, S.A manufactures high quality aircraft sub-assemblies at facility in Cordoba, Argentina. The company's current productions of aircraft sub-assemblies include AT-63 Pampa among others. Features of aerodynamic design and development, structure design and analysis, systems design and integration, Tooling design and manufacturing are a part of aircraft sub-assemblies manufacturing. Prototype and testing, maintenance and inspection of aircraft sub-assemblies ensure error free production.

GPS III Space System

Lockheed Martin is awarded with $1.46 billion contract to build the next-generation Global Positioning System program, known as GPS III Space System. The program for GPS III Space System is intended to improve positioning, navigation, and timing services for the war fighter and civil users worldwide. GPS III Space System will also provide advanced anti-jam capabilities thus yielding superior system security, accuracy and reliability. A new spot beam capability for military (M-Code) coverage and increased resistance to hostile jamming will be incorporated in the GPS III Space system. These enhancements in GPS III Space System will improve accuracy and assured availability for military and civilian users. With GPS III Space System, Lockheed Martin will make a progression in its reputation of developing advanced spacecrafts in the current GPS constellation. GPS III Space System as a part of Global Positioning System enables users with precise time and velocity. Worldwide latitude, longitude and altitude and small distances of a few meters can also be determined by GPS III Space System. Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado manages and operates GPS III Space system.