First F-35 DART Pod Delivered on Time to Lockheed Martin by Terma

The Flight Test Instrumentation Pods will provide a structurally and environmentally protected housing for the flight test data acquisition system on the mission systems test aircraft during flight testing of all F-35 variants. In addition to the test pods, Terma manufactures equipment and nose-boom installations for the test program.

Terma is contracted to supply Lockheed Martin with seven pods under the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the F-35 program. The pods will contain a flight test data acquisition system used to collect data during test flights. The pods will be installed in the internal weapons bays of the aircraft.

"The successful DART Pod project underlines Terma's ability to produce and deliver affordable, high-performance quality products on schedule," said Lars Marcher, Executive Vice President, CTO & Operations, Terma A/S.

"We are extremely pleased to have the first Data Acquisition, Recording and Telemetry (DART) Pod from Terma for use on the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Flight Test Program," said Doug Pearson, vice president of the F-35 Integrated Test Force. "This pod will house the primary data acquisition components for the mission systems test aircraft and serve as a key part of our flight test data collection capability. Personnel from Terma have been most helpful in partnering with us to determine and deliver a successful high-quality solution to support our requirement for flight test data. Terma is a valued partner with Lockheed Martin and I look forward to a continuing a mutually beneficial relationship with them."

The contract, signed in June 2006 and worth USD 7.5 millions, includes design, development, integration, testing, and production of seven test pods. Upon delivery, the Pod structures are fully qualified to meet shock, vibration, stress, and other general JSF technical requirements.

Parts and systems for the F-35 are built around the world. All eight international partners (United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway) have content on first flight test aircraft.

The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter designed to replace a wide range of existing aircraft, including AV-8B Harriers, A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and United Kingdom Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers.

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Terma is a proven developer of reconnaissance pods and aeronautic structures for high-performance military aircraft. Terma has demonstrated its technical capability, reputation for quality, and manufacturing proficiency for many aircraft programs, including the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007 sales of USD 41.9 billion. More information about the company can be found at www.lockheedmartin.com.