Ralph Heath, vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, says he’s “not losing any sleep” over whether the F/A-22 or F-35 will survive the Pentagon’s Quadrennial Defense Review. “There’s a declining defense budget; … that’s a reality,” Heath observes. So, how does a company survive in such an environment? Heath says the trick is to “have a product that’s relevant to the customer’s needs” and “does what it’s supposed to do.” Both the F/A-22 and the F-35 programs are functioning well, on track, and delivering what was promised, Heath insists, adding, “We have our act together.” In his view, the company has provided no excuse for reducing either program on technical or performance grounds.
The "Air Force One" replacement will be two to three years late due to pandemic issues, testing, and the loss of a subcontractor on the interior, USAF officials reported at a House Armed Services Committee hearing. They were also warned that some HASC members will insist on a competition for…