F-35 Block Four Contract (BFC)

The Naval Air Systems Command has awarded undefinitized contract N00019-23-C-0009 to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. on a sole source basis for the continued development of critical F-35 warfighting capabilities. This effort focuses on the F-35 Block Four Contract and includes the development of the Electronic Warfare Band 2/5 Radar Warning Receiver, Modernized Countermeasure Controller, Multi-ship Infrared Search and Track Increment 2, and Beyond Line of Sight communications. Additionally, the contract covers necessary training and combat data systems development for production aircraft lots 16 and 17, supporting the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Foreign Military Sales customers, and F-35 Cooperative Program Partners. Lockheed Martin was selected as the sole provider because, as the original designer and manufacturer, it possesses the exclusive engineering data and technical expertise required to execute the work without substantial duplication of costs or schedule delays. Authorized under Class Justification and Approval CJA 18-437202, the scope of work encompasses systems engineering, hardware upgrades, and testing through December 2024. The agreement emphasizes the necessity of these upgrades to maintain warfighter capability and mission success, while noting future intentions to acquire technical data rights to facilitate competition in later phases.