Tag: Lockheed Martin

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Lockheed Martin, Tata ink mega deal

This agreement provides a framework for collaboration on future potential business opportunities…reports Asian Lite News

US aviation giant Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have partnered to expand upon the companies’ business relationship through the C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter, according to a statement issued by the company on Tuesday.

This agreement provides a framework for collaboration on future potential business opportunities to include: Establishing a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) existing fleet of 12 C-130Js as well as other global Super Hercules fleets; expanding C-130J manufacturing and assembly in India to produce aircraft for the IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme, subject to U.S. and Indian government approvals.

The statement added that Lockheed Martin will continue to build C-130Js for the U.S. government and other global operators at the existing Super Hercules production facility in Marietta, Georgia, USA.

Lockheed Martin will establish additional production and assembly capacity in India if awarded the MTA contract, as per the statement.

“Collaborating with Lockheed Martin on the C-130J platform proposition for IAF’s MTA project is a milestone for Tata Advanced Systems,” said Sukaran Singh, chief executive officer and managing director of Tata Advanced Systems. “The current announcement is also significant as it marks the entry of Tata Advanced Systems into the defence MRO space in India for large aircraft platforms. This also helps towards a deeper relationship between the two companies, adding to the aerostructure work by Tata Advanced Systems for Lockheed Martin platforms.”

“The C-130J is known as the world’s workhorse, not just for its large global presence, but also for its international supply chain partners including the single source provider of empennages — Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited in Hyderabad,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of the Air Mobility and Maritime Missions line of business at Lockheed Martin. “This teaming agreement between Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems further demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s commitment to a self-reliant India and the degree of confidence that exists in our relationships with our partners in India and the Indian industry at large.”

The IAF is actively seeking to acquire up to 80 medium transport aircraft and issued a request for information (RFI) last year. Lockheed Martin responded to the RFI as the C-130J-30 Super Hercules is ideally suited to meet the requirements, the statement added.

This announcement marks a significant step in enhancing India’s defence and aerospace capabilities while also deepening India-U.S. strategic ties, the statement added.

Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have a long-standing partnership through the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd., (TLMAL) joint venture.

Established in 2010, TLMAL exemplifies the government of India’s “Make in India” objectives and has the distinction of being the single global source of C-130J empennage assemblies included on all new Super Hercules aircraft produced in the United States. To date, TLMAL has manufactured more than 220 C-130J empennages.

This means Lockheed Martin will establish additional production and assembly capacity in India.

The American company will, however, continue to build C-130Js for the US and other global operators at the existing Super Hercules production facility in Marietta, Georgia, USA.

Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems, said that the collaboration with Lockheed Martin on the C-130J platform proposition for IAF’s MTA project was “a milestone for Tata Advanced Systems”.

He added this also marked the entry of Tata Advanced Systems into the defence MRO space in India for large-aircraft platforms.

Incidentally, Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have a joint venture called Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd., (TLMAL), which was established in 2010.

It is the single global source of C-130J empennage assemblies included on all new Super Hercules aircraft produced in the United States. To date, TLMAL has manufactured more than 220 C-130J empennages.

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Lockheed Martin CEO calls on PM Modi in New Delhi

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was also present at the meeting on Thursday….reports Asian Lite News

US aerospace major Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here and agreed to strengthen the defence and industrial ties between the two nations.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was also present at the meeting on Thursday.

In a post on X, Lockheed Martin India stated, “@LockheedMartin CEO Jim Taiclet joined Hon’ble @narendramodi. As a trusted partner of over three decades, we recognize the promising talent and capabilities of the local industry and remain committed to strengthening the defense and industrial ties between our two nations.”

US aerospace major Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is a global security and aerospace company that is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Earlier in February, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan interacted with a delegation of Lockheed Martin, holding discussions on collaboration with the Indian Defence Industry for products and technologies in line with the ‘Make In India’ initiative.

In a post on X, Integrated Defence Staff Headquarters stated, “General Anil Chauhan, #CDS interacted with a delegation of #LockheedMartin Pvt Ltd led by Mr Raymond P Piselli, Vice President International Business. Collaboration with Indian Defence Industry for products & technologies in line with #MakeInIndia initiatives discussed.”

In June last year, India Vice-President of Lockheed Martin, William Blair, said that Lockheed Martin exported nearly USD 650 million worth of defence products from India to the US.

“…We already have two joint ventures with TATA in India for over a decade now. We are engaged in supply chains with hundreds of suppliers and we have already exported nearly USD 650 million worth of defence products from India to the US,” Blair said. (ANI)

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China Sanctions Lockheed Martin Over Taiwan Arms Deals

The entities include Lockheed Martin Missile System Integration Lab, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories, and Lockheed Martin Ventures

China has said that it has banned several business units of American aviation manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp. and three of its executives over arms deals the company has signed with Taiwan, the self-ruling island it claims as its own territory, media reports said.

The statement from China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the company’s cooperation with Taiwan had violated the country’s sovereignty, standard terminology in its discussions of any outside dealings that support the island’s government, the Independent reported.

The entities include Lockheed Martin Missile System Integration Lab, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, according to the statement.

All of their movable and immovable properties, and other kinds of assets within China shall be frozen, the statement added.

The senior executives under sanction include James Donald Taiclet, chairman, president and chief executive officer; Frank Andrew St. John, chief operating officer; and Jesus Malave, chief financial officer.

China has been steadily growing its domestic aircraft industry, producing parts, planes and services for Airbus and producing its commercial jets. Foreign technology has played a large part in that process, but Chinese companies have increasingly developed the means to replace their overseas suppliers, The Independent reported.

The executives’ movable and immovable properties and other kinds of assets within China shall be frozen, and it has been prohibited for any organisations or individuals within China to engage in any transactions, cooperation, or activities with them. They shall also be denied visas or entry into China, according to the statement.

Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, on Friday urged the US to honour its commitment to not support “Taiwan independence” and stop arming Taiwan in any form.

The newly approved US arms sales to Taiwan were reportedly worth about $360 million.

Taiwan relies heavily on US suppliers for arms, even as it works to boost its defence industries and increase mandatory military service for men from four months to one year. That comes against the backdrop of China’s rising threat to encircle or invade Taiwan to achieve what it calls a historical mission to annex the island.

Taiwan was formerly a Japanese colony and separated from mainland China amid a civil war in 1949.

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Tata Group, Lockheed Martin team up for F-16 wings

Wings for F-16 to be made by Tata-Lockheed Martin JV in India

Lockheed Martin formally recognised TLMAL as a potential co-producer of fighter wings in October 2021 after the latter’s successful production and qualification of a prototype fighter wing shipset…writes Venkatachari  Jagannathan

Global defence aerospace player Lockheed Martin and Indias Tata Group have inked an agreement for the production of fighter plane wings at their joint venture Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd (TLMAL) in Hyderabad.

According to Lockheed Martin, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) envisions production of 29 fighter wing shipsets, with an option of additional shipsets, with deliveries commencing in 2025.

“These wings are initially intended for the F-16 Block 70/72 jets and would be delivered to our US facility in Greenville, South Carolina, for inclusion into the production/final assembly line. However, the transfer of technology and manufacturing rigor that Lockheed Martin and Tata have demonstrated will transfer to the F-21 if/when selected by the Indian Air Force. We are proposing the F-21 for India and these would be produced in India,” a Lockheed Martin official told IANS.

Lockheed Martin formally recognised TLMAL as a potential co-producer of fighter wings in October 2021 after the latter’s successful production and qualification of a prototype fighter wing shipset.

Through this prototype project, TLMAL was required to demonstrate the capability to perform detailed part manufacturing and delivery of a fully-compliant fuel-carrying 9-g, 12,000 hour, interchangeable/replaceable representative fighter wing, Lockheed Martin said on Friday.

“That achievement further strengthened Lockheed Martin’s partnership with India, and supports its F-21 offering for procurement of 114 new fighter aircraft exclusively for India and the Indian Air Force by proving additional indigenous production capability. The India F-21 represents an unprecedented strategic and economic opportunity for the US-India relationship and represents a catalyst to future advanced technology cooperation,” Lockheed Martin said.

According to the Lockheed Martin official, the F-21 would serve as a force multiplier for the Indian Air Force with an unmatched capability-to-cost ratio compared to the competition.

“In addition, the F-21 is equipped with state-of-the-art systems and sensors that would allow the Indian Air Force to detect, track and engage multiple targets in a contested environment. The current and future state of warfare is and will be centered on gathering and sharing information across multiple domains (air, land, sea, space and cyber) to make effective decisions as quickly as possible. The F-21 will be able to integrate across these domains and across Indian services to provide current and future relevance,” the official added.

The F-21 will leverage advanced technologies from across the Lockheed Martin fighter portfolio. It is a single engine, low life cycle cost platform with an optimal max take-off weight right in between the Rafale and Tejas.

“Our F-21 offer is also ‘Make in India’ which addresses the goals of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ while providing India with an improved security cooperation relationship with the United States,” ythe official said.

Also, the F-21’s industrial offering will put India at the epicentre of the world’s largest fighter production and sustainment market, creating thousands of highly-skilled jobs in India, the official added.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics had established TLMAL as a joint venture in 2010.

TLMAL serves as the single global source of C-130J empennage assemblies that are installed on all new Super Hercules aircraft. To date, TLMAL has manufactured and delivered nearly 200 C-130J empennages.

“I am proud of Tata Group’s partnership with Lockheed Martin on this prestigious project. I would like to congratulate the TLMAL team for successfully industrialising and qualifying the fighter wing in spite of the technological complexity involved. I am confident the initiative of manufacturing fighter wings in India will go a long way in strengthening the aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem in India,” said N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd.

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Lockheed Martin partners with GCC companies

The partnerships aim to improve sustainment operations in the region by reducing turnaround times and costs for the US military and its allies operating in the Gulf…reports Asian Lite News

Lockheed Martin has partnered with four companies operating in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to provide instrumentation, calibration, and repair services for its aircraft ground support equipment, as part of its Product Support Provider Network (PSPn).

The four companies are AL TAIF (part of EDGE Group), Mohamed Abdulrahman Al Bahar (Al Bahar), ArabCal, and TLD MEAI (part of Alvest Group). These partnerships aim to improve sustainment operations in the region by reducing turnaround times and costs for the US military and its allies operating in the Gulf.

The PSPn is a network of service providers selected to support specific repair areas and competencies. Together, they form a global network to improve sustainment efforts and mission readiness. By working with local in-country suppliers, the need to ship parts and equipment to the United States is negated, resulting in time and cost savings for the customer. Moreover, these agreements help to drive sustainment funds into regional economies and contribute to diversifying local industrial defense capabilities.

General John Nicholson, Chief executive for Lockheed Martin Middle East, emphasised that speedy repair turnaround times are critical in accelerating mission readiness and saving lives. By delivering sustainment services quickly and affordably, the partnerships ensure that airmen and airwomen can perform their duty while responding to evolving 21st-century threats at a moment’s notice. Pricing agreements for the PSPn are for five-year performance periods.

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IDEX-NAVDEX: Lockheed Martin to display next-sen security tech

Participating under the theme ‘Partnering for Security and Prosperity,’ Lockheed Martin will exhibit solutions designed to counter evolving security threats across all domains…reports Asian Lite News

Lockheed Martin Corporation will present its vision for 21st Century Security solutions with a focus on integrated capabilities at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) and Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) taking place in Abu Dhabi, February 20-24, 2023.

U.S. Army General (Retired) John W. Nicholson Jr., Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Middle East, said, “IDEX has been a leading platform for Lockheed Martin and the aerospace and defence sector for many decades, and we look forward to our expanded participation this year to include a dedicated presence at NAVDEX for the first time.”

He added, “Building on our deep partnerships with the UAE and the wider region, we look forward to showcasing some of our most innovative capabilities and engaging with our partners to discuss the latest trends and technologies that can help them meet their most crucial defence requirements.”

Participating under the theme ‘Partnering for Security and Prosperity,’ Lockheed Martin will exhibit solutions designed to counter evolving security threats across all domains – land, air, sea, and space.

The company will also unveil its immersive Vast™ experience system for the first time in the region, which brings multi-domain missions to life through interactive 3D visualisations presented to attendees at the show.

The 2023 edition will also feature a dedicated space showcasing the latest technologies developed by Emirati interns at Lockheed Martin’s Center for Innovation and Security Solutions (CISS) at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.

Hundreds of UAE students have received specialist training at the CISS in areas including robotics, AI, networked systems, and modeling and simulation exercises, leading to employment opportunities for top performers within Lockheed Martin and other leading UAE defence entities.

Before IDEX and NAVDEX, Lockheed Martin will participate in the one-day International Defence Conference (IDC) on 19th February as a Platinum Sponsor, joining distinguished industry experts to debate and share ideas around today’s complex defence environment.

During the IDC, Nicholson will participate in a high-level panel discussion titled ‘Promise and Peril: Technology, Human Society, and Human Security’ at the conference.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 116,000 people worldwide and is engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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Lockheed Martin gets $328.8 mn contract to support IAF’s Super Hercules

India had announced to purchase of six C-130J Super Hercules airlifters through Foreign Military Sale with the US Air Force in 2008…reports Asian Lite News.

Lockheed Martin get five-year contract worth $328.8 million from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to provide dedicated and comprehensive support to fleet of 12 C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft.

Lockheed Martin is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the C-130Js, which is the tactical airlifter of choice for 26 operators in 22 nations.

“Through this Follow On Support II (FOS) contract, Lockheed Martin teams manage the program, logistics and engineering support elements necessary to sustain the IAF’s C-130J fleet,” the company said in a statement.

The contract spans a five-year-period, is a Direct Commercial Sale, and is a continuation of a prior five-year FOS I contract where Lockheed Martin provided similar support for the IAF’s C-130J fleet.

“As the C-130 OEM, Lockheed Martin brings forth an outstanding team of experts who offer deep knowledge and unmatched insights of the C-130 to our operators,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility and Maritime Missions, Lockheed Martin.

“It is an honour to continue to partner with the Indian Air Force to support one of the most active C-130J fleets in the world. Through an integrated team and dedicated support, Lockheed Martin ensures the IAF’s C-130J fleet is available and ready for every mission.”

The FOS II contract includes Lockheed Martin’s sustainment efforts for the IAF’s entire Super Hercules fleet, as well as extended options including Lockheed Martin support for the C-130J airframe, Contractor Furnished Equipment (CFE), peculiar and common spareable items, engines, propellers, software, publication services, ground handling equipment (GHE), ground support equipment (GSE) and test equipment.

A total of eight employees representing Lockheed Martin, GE (propeller manufacturer) and Rolls-Royce (engine manufacturer) serve as on-site technical support for the duration of the contract. Additionally through the FOS II contract, five C-130J Hercules aircraft will undergo 12-year servicing (depot maintenance) at a Lockheed Martin-approved Heavy Maintenance Center (HMC) beginning in 2022.

India had announced to purchase of six C-130J Super Hercules airlifters through Foreign Military Sale with the US Air Force in 2008.

The IAF’s C-130J Super Hercules have a highly integrated and sophisticated configuration primarily designed to support India’s special operations requirement.

The aircraft also are equipped with air-to-air receiver refueling capability for extended range operations.

India’s C-130Js are also used to support a variety of critical missions, including humanitarian aid, airlift, natural disaster support, and search and rescue operations.

Recently, the IAF has been extensively using its fleet of 12 Super Hercules for humanitarian efforts in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as for transportation of relief materials, equipment and personnel in the areas affected by cyclones Yaas and Tauktae.

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