Aircraft
Lockheed Martin Follows ‘Blueprint’ To Drive Down F-35 Costs
JSF manufacturer is chipping away at the unit cost of the aircraft.
A robotic arm applies coatings to the diverterless supersonic inlet “bump” in the F-35’s engine intakes. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
A robotic arm applies coatings to the diverterless supersonic inlet “bump” in the F-35’s engine intakes. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin (Chalet 316) is taking steps to improve its manufacturing processes for the F-35 Lightning II. The company contends that more efficient manufacturing methods will help it drive down the flyaway cost of the fifth-generation fighter by $10 million by 2019, and by more if the U.S. government invests.