$3.15B in F/A-22 Raptor-Related Contracts (updated)

F/A-22 Raptor(click to view full) The Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH has awarded a pair of contracts to Lockheed Martin Corp. in Fort Worth, TX, related to the Lot 5 & 6 production batches of the fifth-generation F/A-22 Raptor aircraft. The F/A-22 program has been the focus of controversy, cost concerns, Congressional cutbacks, and lessons learned; at the same time, its combination of stealth and super-agility, range, advanced electronics with potential electronic warfare applications, and sustained supersonic flight (aka “supercruise”) places it in a class by itself among the world’s combat aircraft. F-22, weapons bay open F/A-22 Contracts have included: A $2.99 billion firm-fixed-price contract modification to definitize the Lot 5 acquisition of 24 aircraft (FA8611-04-C-2851). Solicitations began July 2004, negotiations were complete November 2005, and work will be complete November 2007. This new Lot 5 production contract will increase the total number of contracted F/A-22 aircraft to 107. To date, 53 aircraft have been delivered to the U.S. Air Force and 66 have completed final assembly. The Air Force is flying the F/A-22 Raptor at four bases across the United States and is preparing for Initial Operational Capability in December with the 1st Fighter […]