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The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a US$270 million (AU$430.4 million) contract to integrate a next-generation infrared defensive sensor suite for the F-22 Raptor fleet.
The modernisation contract will see the integration of the Lockheed Martin-developed Infrared Defensive System (IRDS) integrated into the F-22 fleet, providing survivability and lethality enhancements.
Justin Taylor, vice president, F-22 program at Lockheed Martin, detailed the importance of the modernisation program for the US Air Force’s F-22 fleet, saying, “Lockheed Martin is proud to continue partnering with the Air Force on essential modernisation efforts for the Raptor, leveraging our expertise in fifth-generation aircraft and air dominance systems to integrate capabilities that ensure uninterrupted US air superiority today and into the future.”
The world’s first fifth-generation aircraft, the F-22, combines a unique blend of stealth, speed, agility and situational awareness, partnered with its deadly long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, making it the world’s premier air dominance fighter.
Hank Tucker, vice president of missions systems at Lockheed Martin, added, “We understand the need for advanced and versatile infrared systems like IRDS that will make pilots’ missions more survivable and lethal against current and future adversaries.”
As part of ongoing modernisation and sustainment programs, Lockheed Martin provides a host of services in support of the F-22 Raptor fleet, including:
- Reliability, Availability and Maintainability Program (RAMP): In the RAMP, our team inspects data from the field of operations and engineering solutions to increase aircraft availability for combat.
- Modernisation line: The Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base houses the only current F-22 modernisation line, integrating the latest system capabilities to enhance the Raptor’s asymmetric advantage over adversaries.
- Stealth coating repair: About 50 per cent of maintenance performed on the F-22 is related to repairing the low observable stealth coatings that are damaged when the aircraft is opened up for routine maintenance.
- Engine maintenance: The Pratt & Whitney F119 engines are designed to allow standard flight line maintenance using just six common tools available at commercial hardware stores.
- Integrated Maintenance Information System (IMIS): IMIS enables maintainers to plug their laptop into the jet, log completed maintenance and plug their computer back into the system to update a global database instantaneously, ensuring proper and complete maintenance records are kept no matter where the F-22 is deployed to on the globe.
Tucker added, “We’re committed to supporting the Air Force through continuous innovation of capabilities to deter and defeat evolving threats.”
The ongoing modernisation efforts and strategic upgrades to the F-22 are set to further enhance its capabilities, while also paving the way for the next generation of air dominance under the US Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program to replace the F-22 fleet.
