MoD invests in new F-35B facilities
The contracts, which will create 300 new jobs, will allow for the addition of maintenance, training and logistics facilities to the station in East Anglia, all of which will be dedicated to the next-generation fighter aircraft.
The announcement was made in the same week as the UK met a new milestones on the F-35 programme with the completion of the 10th aft – or rear – section for the airframes, being built for the UK’s fleet.
Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon said: "The F-35 is the most advanced combat aircraft in the world. Whether operating from land or our two new aircraft carriers, they will ensure we have a formidable fighting force.
"They are part of our plan for stronger and better defence, backed by a budget that will this week rise for the first time in six years, and keep rising until the end of the decade."
The works at RAF Marham have been made possible through three contracts, placed initially by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and totalling £25 million, for demolition and cabling works at the Norfolk site, readying RAF Marham for new construction works.
A £142 million contract between Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and Lockheed Martin UK will then allow the construction of three new buildings which together will keep the new aircraft ready for service, provide training facilities for pilots and ground crew, and enable centralised management of the UK’s whole F-35B fleet.
Approximately 300 people will be employed on the construction works, which will be managed by sub-contractors BAE Systems. The buildings will become a place of work for around 250 military and civilian staff when they open in 2018.
DE&S Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas said: "These facilities are critical to the F-35B Lightning II programme, which is in turn vital to the future capability of the UK’s Armed Forces. The cutting edge technology of these aircraft, supported by world-class facilities at RAF Marham, will ensure we have a battle-winning fleet of jets deployable anywhere in the world."
The aft – or rear - sections of every single F-35 are being built by BAE Systems in Samlesbury, Lancashire. Demonstrating further progress on the UK programme, the company has now completed the first 10 aft sections designated to form the airframes of UK aircraft. The the tenth aft fuselage will now be delivered to the F-35 final assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas, ahead of schedule.
With work beginning at RAF Marham in Norfolk this month, BAE Systems will construct three facilities to support the operation of the F-35 fleet; a maintenance and finish facility, a logistics operations centre and an integrated training centre. The work is scheduled to be completed in early 2018 when the new facilities are due to handed over to the MoD, which will align with the expected arrival of 617 Squadron to RAF Marham.
Cliff Robson, Senior Vice President - F-35 Lightning II at BAE Systems Military Air & Information business, said: "The construction work at RAF Marham signals the start of an exciting time for the BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin team as the UK prepares for the arrival of the first F-35 Lightning II jets. The contract also underlines BAE Systems' continued involvement with the F-35 Lightning II programme and our company's credentials in providing infrastructure for the UK's military aircraft operations. We have a proven pedigree in delivering maintenance and support to the Royal Air Force fast jet fleets at bases throughout the UK including RAF Marham where we have been supporting the operation of the Tornado GR4 fleet for the last decade."
Lockheed Martin UK Chief Executive Peter Ruddock said: “The start of work on these new facilities is a major step towards the Lightning Force being ready to operate the F-35s from the UK. This £142 million investment will transform RAF Marham and enable the base to deliver the fifth generation capabilities of the F-35.”
Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Programme Executive Vice President and General Manager Jeff Babione said “Lockheed Martin is honored to have this opportunity to build the facilities at RAF Marham, the future home for the UK’s F-35B Lightning II fleet. This is another step forward in delivering the capability of the F-35 air system, and we look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with the Ministry of Defence.”
More widely, around 500 companies across the UK are involved in the F-35 Lightning II programme. More than 3,000 F-35s are planned for global delivery over the next two decades.
