Headline: £76 million contract boosts F-35 Lightning fleet support

<p>A £76 million aircraft support contract, supporting more than 170 jobs, will maximise the availability and capability of the UK’s F-35 Lightning stealth jets, ensuring they are ready for combat operations across the globe.<p>

<p>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, ground crew and engineers, and logistical and technical support for the fleet.</p>

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<p>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.</p>

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.