In a series of program updates at this year’s AFA Warfare Symposium, Lockheed Martin executives showcased the company’s latest advancements in defense technology, footstomping the company’s efforts to rapidly iterate, innovate and integrate to meet evolving global security challenges. From next-generation fighter jets to autonomous drones and advanced weapons systems, Lockheed Martin continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in support of today’s warfighters. Read on to learn how.
F-35 Lightning II: The Quarterback of the Skies
What It Is
The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, multirole fighter jet designed to replace older U.S. and allied aircraft with a single, versatile platform. It comes in three variants tailored for different mission profiles: conventional takeoff and landing (F-35A), short takeoff/vertical landing (F-35B), and carrier-based operations (F-35C). The program aims to deliver superior air dominance, advanced situational awareness and seamless interoperability across military branches and allied forces.
Why It Matters
The F-35 addresses the need for a highly capable aircraft that can operate in contested environments while integrating advanced technologies like stealth, sensor fusion and drone teaming. As Chauncey McIntosh, VP and GM of the F-35 Lightning II program stated, “It all starts with the threat. We’re using digital twins to move at the speed of integration.” This ensures the platform evolves rapidly to counter emerging global threats.
What’s New
The F-35 program reached a significant milestone: surpassing one million flight hours. McIntosh declared, “The F-35 is proven, combat tested and ready. It’s the quarterback of the mission.”
Lockheed Martin has also completed Tech Refresh 3 and continues working on Block 4 upgrades. The company is also integrating third party apps and drone wingmen into the platform, as well as leveraging digital twins to move at the speed of integration.
What’s Next
The F-35 program stands ready to deliver between 170-190 aircraft to customers this year. Lockheed Martin is focusing on increasing readiness and continuing to modernize the platform to ensure its relevance.
The company is also developing the “Sidekick” weapons rack, allowing the F-35 to carry more missiles internally. This innovation, coupled with advanced software development and drone integration, positions the F-35 at the forefront of air dominance.
Fun Facts
- 16 services now fly the F-35.
- Over 1,100 F-35 aircraft have been delivered to customers, 110 of them just last year.
- Over 2,800 pilots and nearly 18,000 maintainers have been trained on the F-35 platform.
- Lockheed Martin has successfully tested synthetic alternative fuels with Norway to improve mission readiness and sustainability.
F-16 and F-22: Bridging to Next-Gen Platforms
What It Is
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a fourth-generation multirole fighter jet renowned for its versatility, affordability and widespread adoption by 25 countries. The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation air superiority fighter designed for unmatched dominance in contested airspace. Both platforms are integral to Lockheed Martin’s strategy of maintaining air superiority while bridging to next-generation systems.
Why It Matters
The F-16 continues to play a critical role in NATO’s defense strategy by offering cost-effective solutions for allied air forces. Meanwhile, the F-22 serves as a technological bridge to future sixth-generation fighters. Its integration of Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) allows rapid upgrades to counter advanced threats like hypersonic missiles.
What’s New
Recent upgrades to the F-22 include enhanced sensors for improved detection, tracking, identification and targeting capabilities, as well as new infrared defensive systems. It’s the first combat aircraft to integrate MOSA to allow for rapid integration of advanced sensors and capabilities. According to Mike Shoemaker, Vice President and General Manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, “The F-22 Raptor is digital, dominant and ready.”
The F-16 Fighting Falcon continues to be a highly sought-after fighter jet, with a global presence spanning 25 countries. As of this year, the United States remains the largest operator with 936 active aircraft. The F-16 continues to see strong demand at this time, particularly among NATO allies. Other major F-16 users include Turkey (243), Israel (224), Egypt (218), South Korea (167), Greece (153), and Taiwan (136 with 66 more on order.
What’s Next
The F-22 program is positioning itself as a bridge to next-generation platforms. The upcoming Release 4 software update, set for approval this spring, will further enhance the F-22’s capabilities.
Fun Facts
- 23 F-16 Block 70 deliveries have been made, with a production backlog of 117 aircraft.
- The F-22 fleet reached 500,000 flight hours in 2024.
- The F-16 has been production for over 50 years, with nearly 4,600 F-16s manufactured to date
- The F-16 program (in Greenville, SC) supports 46,000 American jobs, both directly and indirectly.
Common Multi-Mission Truck: Affordable Mass for Future Conflicts
What It Is
The Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT), or “Comet,” is an innovative air vehicle designed to deliver affordable mass on target during high-intensity conflicts. CMMT features modular design and open architecture for adaptability across missions.
Why It Matters
CMMT addresses the need for scalable, cost-effective solutions in future conflicts against peer adversaries. As Mike Rothstein, VP of Strategy and Requirements for Air Weapons and Sensors explained, “We understand it has got to be producible now and scalable.” By enabling rapid deployment of weapons or sensors from various platforms, CMMT creates operational dilemmas for adversaries while enhancing mission flexibility.
What’s New
This entire concept is new. Rothstein introduced the CMMT as Lockheed Martin’s newest air vehicle / weapon system purpose built to provide affordable mass in future conflicts. The CMMT builds on the success of the Rapid Dragon program, which demonstrated the ability to drop palletized munitions from cargo aircraft.
What’s Next
Lockheed Martin continues to focus on making the CMMT low-cost, producible and scalable. The company plans to integrate mission-specific capabilities as needed.
The company designed the CMMT to support multiple missions, including strike missions from fighters, bombers and airlifters, as well as launched effects from rotary-wing platforms and precision fires launchers.
Fun Facts
- The CMMT can fit 25 smaller weapons or vehicles in a resized pallet, significantly increasing potential payloads.
The program aligns with the U.S. Air Force’s Franklin program.
CJADC2 Interoperability Factory: Enabling Seamless Communication
What It Is
Lockheed Martin’s Combined Joint All-Domain Command & Control (CJADC2) Interoperability Factory is a self-funded software-based solution designed to overcome communication barriers between disparate systems. Using model-based systems engineering and AI-enabled tools, it translates data formats at machine speed to enable seamless interoperability across U.S. and allied weapon systems.
Why It Matters
Modern warfare demands faster decision-making and error-free communication between platforms. By eliminating manual data transfer (“swivel chair” operations), the Interoperability Factory aims to enhance situational awareness and reduce kill chain timelines. Paul Koether, Director of Tactical Space in National Security Space, emphasized its importance: “This will reduce errors and increase the speed of information sharing in complex operational environments.”
What’s New
This is yet another new concept for Lockheed Martin. Koether introduced the CJADC2 Interoperability Factory as the company’s internally funded software-based solution to enhance communication between the company’s own different systems and agnostically with those of other companies. He said it took a year, sitting down with engineers from two different programs, to break through terminology barriers, to successfully achieve the Factory’s first cross-division integration. Lockheed Martin successfully tested a prototype system, connecting OMS-UCI and TADIL-J during an Anti-Surface Warfare mission in November 2024.
What’s Next
The company plans to demonstrate the Interoperability Factory capabilities to customers by June 2025, with initial operating capability (IOC) expected by the end of 2025. Lockheed Martin is integrating Generative AI agents to automate and accelerate command and control (C2) for thousands of battlefield assets.
Fun Facts
- The Interoperability Factory was developed in under five months.
- The system uses AI-enabled control planes to interpret new standards at machine speed.
Skunk Works: Driving Innovation in Autonomous Systems
What It Is
Skunk Works is Lockheed Martin’s advanced development division focused on creating mostly classified cutting-edge technologies like autonomous drones, cybersecurity solutions and open mission systems. Skunk Works has been instrumental in developing a number of platforms, but due to their classification levels, does not discuss them until left of launch.
Why It Matters
Skunk Works’ expertise in autonomy ensures that Lockheed Martin stays ahead in developing collaborative combat platforms where manned fighters control multiple drones simultaneously. This approach multiplies combat effectiveness while reducing risk to human pilots.
As OJ Sanchez, VP and GM of Skunk Works noted, “We are a drone company. We’ve been building drones since the 1950s, and we’re now applying that experience to develop autonomous collaborative platforms.”
What’s New
Given Skunk Works’ mission, Sanchez threw back to the future. He revealed, “About 20 years ago, we started an autonomous roadmap activity. We knew that we needed to get to the place where drones and fighters and other assets in the battlespace needed to work together.” As one example, the division has developed MDCX, a ground station that incorporates autonomy software to control a wide range of drones from large MQ-25s to smaller Group 1 uncrewed aircraft vehicles (UAVs).
What’s Next
Skunk Works continues to focus on autonomy, cybersecurity and open mission systems. The division is working on advanced GCS’ and the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. (They’d tell us more, but then they’d have to kill us.)
Fun Facts
- 97% of Skunk Works’ work is classified
- Skunk Works has been working on a 20-year roadmap for autonomous systems
- The division has demonstrated the ability to control up to 8 drones from a single-seat fighter like the F-35.
Shaping the Future of Defense
Lockheed Martin’s program updates demonstrate the company’s commitment to the warfighter across multiple domains. By focusing on interoperability, autonomy and rapid development cycles, Lockheed continues to position itself – and the forces it supports – to meet the complex challenges of 21st-century conflicts.
As global tensions rise and peer adversaries advance their own capabilities, Lockheed Martin’s “speed of relevance” approach to defense technology development will remain crucial in maintaining technological edge for the United States and its allies.
By: Dawn Zoldi (Colonel USAF Ret.)