US Navy Taps Lockheed Martin to Integrate F135 Engine Core Upgrade and New F-35 Cooling System

Naval Air Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a $13.26 million contract modification to continue integrating the F135 Engine Core Upgrade into the F-35 and advance its power and thermal management upgrade into preliminary design. The October 27 award adds 50,000 engineering labor hours and finalizes a previously undefinitized delivery order supporting US services and international programme partners. Work will be distributed across American and British locations, with completion expected in April 2027. The modification supports propulsion and cooling modernization across the fighter programme but does not identify whether Honeywell’s upgraded architecture or Collins Aerospace’s replacement system will be selected.