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Advanced / Transformational Technology

Lockheed Martin Pushes to Extend F-35 Sustainment Contracts From One Year to Five Years

By Vivienne Machi

Thursday, September 19th, 2019

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Lockheed Martin Pushes to Extend F-35 Sustainment Contracts From One Year to Five Years

The F-35A flies its aerial demonstration debut at the 2017 Paris Air Show. (Photo: Ethan Stokes/Lockheed Martin)

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s manufacturer wants to negotiate maintenance contracts on a five-year schedule, a new process it claims will save $1 billion in sustainment costs for the U.S. military over that contract period. Lockheed Martin [LMT] is pitching a shift away from the typical yearly contract negotiation cycle that the company says assumes significant government risk and drives minimal long-term industry investment. Officials submitted a white paper to Pentagon acquisition leaders in August to…

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