Neel Mehta
Jeff Babione, executive vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin‘s F-35 program, has been appointed to similar roles within the defense and aerospace contractor’s advanced development programs division known as Skunk Works.
Lockheed said Thursday Babione will lead Skunk Works’ efforts to support warfighters and succeed Rob Weiss, who will retire in late 2018.
In his current role, Babione oversees the development, production and sustainment of the three F-35 variants for nine partner countries and various foreign military sales customers.
The more than 25-year company veteran previously served as deputy GM of the F-35 program and VP and GM of the F-16/F-22 Integrated Fighter Group.
Greg Ulmer, VP of Lockheed’s F-35 aircraft production business, will succeed Babione as head of the F-35 program.
Ulmer will be responsible for helping the company address speed, agility, quality and affordability requirements of U.S. and international F-35 customers.
His more than 22-year career at Lockheed includes time as VP for operations and production programs at Skunk Works; VP for aeronautics programs and operations; and VP for the C-5M modernization program.
Babione and Ulmer will assume their new duties on March 19.
