Lockheed Martin [LMT] yesterday confirmed that it is moving the head of its Mission Systems and Sensors (MS) business unit to help with the high level management of its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, which has been struggling with cost overruns and schedule delays.
Orlando Carvalho, president of MS2, will become vice president and deputy of the F-35 program, reporting to Larry Lawson, who is executive vice president and general manager for the program. Carvalho will “provide strong support to Larry and the F-35 team in building on their high level of performance on a program that is of critical importance to the future of our country,” Chris Kubasik, president and chief operating officer of Lockheed Martin, said in a statement.
Defense Daily first reported the planned move by Carvalho, which will take effect on Aug. 1, last week (Defense Daily, June 24). Kubasik cites Carvalho’s experience with large complex production programs as well has his expertise in software, systems engineering, and international business as making him ideal for his new role.
As head of MS2, Carvalho has helped oversee Lockheed Martin’s successful participation on the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship program, which is in production. Earlier in his career with Lockheed Martin, Carvalho also was a program manager for the Navy’s Aegis program, directly in charge of the combat defense and ballistic missile defense systems components.
Carvalho will be succeeded at MS2 by Dale Bennett, current chief of the company’s Global Training and Logistics unit. Bennett will be succeeded by Denise Saiki, who is currently vice president and general manager of MS2’s Undersea Systems line of business.
Kubasik said that Bennett brings to his new leadership role experience in program management, systems engineering, international business and executive roles at various businesses within Lockheed Martin, including MS2.
Also in the F-35 program, Eric Branyan, who is the deputy program manager, will become vice president and F-35 program manager with responsibility for program execution. Branyan will be taking over for John Larson, who will become vice president of program management within Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics Business Area, ensuring all the business area’s programs meet their targets.
Larson will be filling a role currently occupied by Susan Kiehl, who is also in charge of the Earned Value Management System (EVMS) corrective action plan. As of Aug. 1, Kiehl will become vice president of the Earned Value Management process and focus solely on that effort.
The company also announced that Lisa Callahan, currently vice president of maritime ballistic missile defense programs, will succeed Saiki as vice president of the Undersea Systems business.