LocationsLockheed Martin Aeronautics CompanyLockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production, and support of advanced military aircraft. Rapid prototyping, simulation-based virtual design, and composite process development are just a few of the many engineering proficiencies that make this company preeminent in the aeronautics industry. The company's headquarters, which is also a major manufacturing operation, is located in Fort Worth, Texas, with other major design and manufacturing sites in Marietta, Georgia, and Palmdale, California. The company also operates plants in Clarksburg, West Virginia; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Meridian, Mississippi; and Pinellas, Florida. The company employs over 20,000 people at all sites. LM Aero also has a number of international offices in various countries throughout the world. Texas  Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company's headquarters and home of the F-16 Fighting Falcon and Joint Strike Fighter, is located seven miles west of downtown Fort Worth, Texas. The production facility was established in 1942 in response to the U.S. War Department's need to produce additional B-24 Liberator bombers for World War II. More than 3,034 bombers rolled off the nearly mile-long production line by the end of the war.
Since then, the facility has designed and produced the B-32 Dominator and B-36 "Peacemaker" bombers, the B-58 Hustler delta-winged jet bomber, the swing-wing F-111 Aardvark interdiction aircraft, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter. Enhanced versions of the F-16, including the technologically advanced Block 60, continue in production today. More than 4,000 F-16s have been built for the United States and 20 other countries. In addition, the company produces major components for the Mitsubishi F-2 fighter aircraft (based on the F-16) for Japan, the Korea Aircraft Industries T-50/A-50 trainer/light attack aircraft and the mid-fuselage and avionics for the U.S. Air Force's F/A-22 Raptor air dominance fighter. Georgia Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company's site in Marietta, Georgia, is home to the C-130J Hercules transport and the F/A-22 Raptor air dominance fighter. The site is also responsible for the avionics and engine modernization programs for the C-5 Galaxy strategic transport.  The plant, which is located at the northern end of the greater metropolitan Atlanta area, was opened during World War II for production of B-29 bombers. The facility was reopened in 1951 to refurbish B-29s to help meet the U.S. Air Force's immediate need for bombers for the Korean War. The facility later built 397 B-47 Stratojet swept-wing jet bombers under license during the Cold War.
Since then, the Marietta facility has developed and produced the C-130 Hercules airlifter (more than 2,200 built in four major versions), the XV-4 Hummingbird research aircraft, the JetStar business jet, the LASA-60 general aviation aircraft, the C-141 StarLifter jet transport, the C-5 Galaxy, and the P-3 Orion. Currently, the company builds the C-130J and the F/A-22. It is also teamed with Alenia Inc. to offer the C-27J twin-engined transport. California  Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company's site in Palmdale, California, is headquarters of the company's Advanced Development Programs (ADP), informally known as the "Skunk Works." It is also home to the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, upgrades and enhancements to the F-117 Nighthawk stealth attack aircraft, and C-130 special missions aircraft. It is located 80 miles north of Los Angeles in the Antelope Valley.
This part of the company began as a research and development operation in 1943 when the War Department asked heritage Lockheed to build a prototype jet fighter to counter the German jet fighters appearing in the air war over Europe. Lockheed's response was the P-80 Shooting Star. With that program, Lockheed set the standard for projects that are highly secret, very high priority, timely, and performed on a minimal budget. The company went on to design, develop, and produce prototypes that became the U-2, SR-71 "Blackbird," and the F-117A. All Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company advanced development programs, such as electronic warfare simulation systems, detailed system/tactical simulation systems, and C4ISR hardware and software, are located in Palmdale. Florida Established in 1997 and located in Pinellas Park, Florida, in the Tampa Bay area, this modern 200,000-square-foot facility specializes in metal forming, fabrication, and assembly of components for many of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company's major programs. The Pinellas team works on the F/A-22, C-130, P-3, and Atlas Launch Vehicle. They also make parts for the Space Shuttle and B-52 modification programs. Mississippi The facility in Meridian, Mississippi, has a long history of outstanding performance producing major structural subassemblies for the L-1011 TriStar airliner, JetStar, C-141, C-5, and P-3. The plant currently produces structural subassemblies for the C-130J Hercules and the F/A-22 Raptor. Long known for high quality and productivity, the workforce in Meridian averages more than 20 years of structural subassembly experience. Pennsylvania Located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Lockheed Martin AeroParts, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. It was established in Johnstown in 1987 to provide sheet metal fabrication, subassembly, welding and machining operations for the F-16, C-130, P-3, and F/A-22. In addition, as a direct prime contractor to the U.S. Department of Defense, Lockheed Martin AeroParts performs spares fabrication, manufacturing of ground support equipment, and overhaul and repair on such diverse items as control surfaces, engine cowlings, and engine nacelles. It is also a licensed FAA repair facility. They have been named a Best Value Gold Medalist by the Defense Supply Center, Richmond, Virginia, for outstanding quality and deliveries for the last two years. West Virginia The plant in Clarksburg, West Virginia, is approximately 10 miles from Benedum Airport. The Clarksburg plant started operations in 1962, and has been producing major C-130 assemblies ever since. Clarksburg has also supported the C-141, C-5, and P-3 programs while building approximately 17 percent of each C-130 aircraft. |
