Science & Technology

US: F-22 Production Line Back on Track: Lockheed

Dave Majumdar
Defense News
Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:42 UTC

Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor production line is back on track after the U.S. Air Force's fleet-wide grounding of the jet had disrupted deliveries to the service, the company said.

"We are delivering jets," said Lockheed spokeswoman Alison Orne. "The last one delivered was 4185. 4195 will be delivered in late spring 2012."

Tail number AF 09-4185 has technically been delivered with the signing of a DD-250 form, but the stealthy fifth-generation fighter is currently undergoing government flight tests. After the completion of the tests this week, the Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing will fly the jet to Langley Air Force Base, Va., where it will be based.

"It is scheduled to depart for Langley on Dec. 8," Orne said.

The final Raptor to be built, AF 09-4195, will be delivered to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, where it will fly with the 3rd Wing. It is expected to be delivered in spring 2012, according to Lockheed.

Reader Comments

adanie15 · 2011-12-08T17:18:39Z

Great..

This is just what the world needs, more multi-million dollar pieces of military hardware..

shellycheval · 2011-12-09T05:53:16Z

While listening to NPR

While listening to Washington DC's National Public Radio, the so-called "liberal," "commercial-free," radio of the US public, Lockheed Martin is frequently heard listed as one of NPR's major contributors. I find a bit of irony in their promotion logo used on NPR, that states: "We never forget who we are working for." No doubt.

maxleer · 2011-12-09T09:20:46Z

an outdated p.o.s. ...

even prior to its e.i.s., this gargantuan, cost-overrun failure was technology challenged... if it was the so called "air-superiority" fighter/bomber/EW platform Lockheed touted when the contract was awarded, it would remain in production today... that being said, the final delivery numbers are these, and it's a bargain (NOT)- 187 aircraft, @ $356,684,491.98 ea... total contract paid out $66.7 billion... we amerikans are such idiots, and deserve what we reap from these thieves, i.e. Lockheed, Boeing, et al

canyonjammer · 2011-12-09T10:04:02Z

and by the way...

Lockheed Martin also receives the money for issuing TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Cards) to workers going in and out of US ports, and I understand they are receiving 70% of the income generated with red light ticket camera systems here in California.

I also agree completely with shelleycheval about NPR, also funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, Bill Gates, Etc. News with a skew...