Signed by Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program
Office, the Lightning Air system National Capability
Enterprise (LANCE) contract will provide additional
expertise on aircraft maintenance, bespoke UK training
courses for pilots, groundcrew and engineers, and
logistical and technical support for the fleet.
Providing additional experienced technical personnel at
existing facilities, the contract will also allow three new
capabilities to come into operation. These include an
ejection seat maintenance workshop, a ‘Pilot fit facility’
to fit aircrew equipment, and component spray facility to
transfer coatings onto aircraft components.
Giving the UK more freedom to operate its fleet of F-35s,
it will also increase the number of flying hours available,
alongside delivering important mission planning, training
and maintenance capabilities.
Defence Minister said:
The Lightning Force forms a key part of the UK’s Carrier
Strike Group and plays a central role in protecting our
interests at home and abroad.
This investment will help ensure that this world-class
fleet, and their crew, are ready to deploy wherever and
whenever required.
Based at RAF Marham, home of the UK Lightning Force, the
investment reflects the increasing size of the UK’s F-35
fleet and will create and secure 172 jobs mainly at the
Norfolk base.
The contract will provide support for 25 months, with an
option for a further three months. The majority of the work
will be carried out by subcontractor BAE Systems.
Air Commodore David Arthurton, Combat Air Force Commander,
said:
I welcome the opportunity LANCE provides to build upon
the Lightning Force Element’s already close relationship
with our industry partners. The new contract will deliver
an enhanced level of performance whilst also providing
welcome stability to all involved with the programme.
Furthermore, it will underpin our participation in the
United Kingdom’s inaugural Carrier Strike deployment
later this year, and provide an excellent foundation for
future land and maritime operations as Lightning matures
towards Full Operating Capability.
The support provided by the contract will be crucial in
ensuring the fleet is ready and prepared when they sail
with HMS Queen Elizabeth on her maiden Global Carrier
Strike Group ‘21 deployment.
Vice Admiral Rick Thompson, Director General Air for
DE&S, said:
I am delighted that we have secured LANCE for the UK’s
Lightning Force. This is a critical support contract that
shows a significant maturity in the platform’s
capability.
The UK currently has 21 fifth-generation F-35s, having
received three new jets on 30 November 2020.
