Lockheed Martin [LMT] yesterday announced several new executive appointments at its Aeronautics segment, including naming a new chief for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
Larry Lawson, who is currently executive vice president and general manager for the Air Force F-22 fighter program, will take over the same position on the F-35 program beginning June 7.
“With F-35 aircraft designs completed, 16 of 19 test aircraft delivered, all three variants of the F-35 in ground and flight test including critical milestones of the first F- 35B vertical landing and first flight of the F-35 mission systems aircraft, it’s an ideal time to transition leadership as we prepare for rapid growth of the program in the years ahead,” Ralph Heath, executive vice president of the Aeronautics business, said in a statement.
Lawson will be succeeding Dan Crowley, who will become chief operating officer of Aeronautics. Crowley led the F-35 program for Lockheed Martin since 2005.
Taking over for Lawson on the F-22 program will be George Shultz, who has served as vice president and deputy general manager of the program since November 2008.