The US Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Lockheed Martin a $207 million contract modification to incorporate unique Israeli equipment into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

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US Air Force

"This modification includes the development of the hardware and software for the Israel F-35A CTOL [conventional take-off and landing] air system from the initial requirements development to the preliminary design review (PDR)," a US Department of Defense release says. "In addition, the post PDR of hardware only, will continue through finalized requirements, layouts, and build to prints, including production planning data."

The contract is being executed as part of the Pentagon's Foreign Military Sales programme. The Israeli-specific developmental work is expected to be completed by May 2016.

Israel's aircraft would be delivered as part of the F-35 programme's low-rate initial production lot eight in 2016.

Source: Flight International