
The F-35 joint program office, which is developing a plan for future upgrades to the Lockheed Martin [LMT]-built Lightning II, intends to present its proposal to senior Defense Department leaders in late October, the program’s leader said Sept. 6.The “follow-on modernization” proposal, which reflects “a new set of requirements,” will need the approval of Ellen Lord, the Pentagon’s new acquisition chief, said Navy Vice Adm. Mat Winter, who became the F-35 program executive officer in late May.The plan, known as…