Forum: General F-35 Forum

At dialup speed can only see the pages once apparently [got there eventually] so youse'll have to go look at 2nd page - 2nd URL below for quotes about F-35 & LM:

Lockheed’s Next CEO On The F-35, Sequestration 13 Aug 2012
By Joseph C. Anselmo , Anthony L. Velocci, Jr.; Aviation Week & Space Technology

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.asp ... ml&p=1

Quotes from: http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.asp ... ml&p=2

"...Many of our readers may point out that the Joint Strike Fighter is costing much more than originally projected and is behind schedule. How does that square with your affordability imperative?

This is a big, complicated program, with the U.S. Navy, Marines and Air Force, all the international customers, our suppliers and teammates. By all accounts, people have seen an improvement since we did a rebaselining in 2010. We've exceeded our flight-test schedule. We are doing the best we can to manage the underlying infrastructure and the cost it takes to build the aircraft.

I get a report every night between 10 and 11 p.m. that gives me the status of the program, relative to flight test, test points and other challenges. Probably the last thing I do every night before I go to bed is read my F-35 report. Most nights I go to sleep [immediately afterward]. Occasionally, I make a few phone calls first. We watch this seven days a week. There is not a person in this company that is not aware of the importance of this program.

In hindsight, is it possible that Lockheed Martin came in with too low a bid, given the complexity of the program and the customers' expectations?

I don't see that. Like every program, there have been changes in funding and requirements, and you discover things as you're pushing the envelope and the state of the art. The volume of any product is going to drive the cost down more than any single cost-reduction initiative. That's why I've been so focused on international [sales]. That's the key that is going to make a big difference.

Lockheed Martin is on the hook to deliver the JSF low-rate initial production III and IV aircraft by the end of the year. Will you meet that deadline?

It's close. We experienced a 10-week strike in Fort Worth that just ended a month ago, and that could drive some challenges as to whether some aircraft get delivered late this year or early in 2013. We're in dialogue with our customer, and they know the challenges.

Will you have to go to a third shift?

Those are decisions we work with our customer. We can, but it tends to drive up the cost of the aircraft...."

Pages 1, 3 & 4 don't have much of interest regarding F-35s.

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