Scott Nicholas
Lockheed Martin has completed sustainment work on the first F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft at the company’s Marietta, Georgia-based Inlet Coating Repair Speedline facility for delivery to the U.S. Air Force.
Lockheed said Wednesday the company received the first two F-22s for inlet coating maintenance at the Speedline facility in November and December 2016 while another unit arrived in late January.
“The inlet coatings work, coupled with future improved Low Observable materials and repair improvements, is a critical part of increasing the 325th Fighter Wing’s repair capacity and combat readiness,” said Lt. Col. Argie Moore, deputy commander of the 325th Maintenance Group.
Lockheed noted that it will perform work including modification support services, analytical condition inspections, radar cross-section turntable support and antenna calibration on 12 F-22 aircraft through the duration of a contract with the Air Force.
Periodic maintenance works to sustain the exterior coatings of the F-22 needed to support the aircraft’s stealth function amid continued operational combat missions, the company added.
Lockheed offers sustainment and life-cycle systems management services to support the F-22 fleet via an Air Force performance-based logistics contract and the Follow-on Agile Sustainment for the Raptor program.
