As part of the Joint Strike Fighter programme, Lockheed Martin Corp. received $7.8 million to support for first of class flying trials and release of the military permit to fly for F-35B Lightning II aircraft in support of the government of the United Kingdom.

The contract, announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Defense, is worth more than $7.8 million provides for support for flying trials to test the behaviour of the F-35B aircraft and how it interacts with the aviation systems fitted to the combat ship and other aircraft.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $7,808,741 for modification P00004 to a previously issued order issued against basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020).  This modification provides for support for first of class flying trials and release of the military permit to fly for F-35B Lightning aircraft in support of the government of the United Kingdom.

Work will be performed in Salmesbury, United Kingdom; Fort Worth, Texas; Greenville, North Carolina; Orlando, Florida; and Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in June 2020.

The F-35 Lightning is an advanced, next generation aircraft procured to operate alongside the RAF’s Typhoon. The aircraft will be able to operate with equal capability from land and sea, and will form an integral part of Carrier Strike from the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

The F-35B is a short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant is the world’s first supersonic STOVL stealth aircraft. It is designed to operate from austere bases and a range of air-capable ships near front-line combat zones.