Investing.com -- Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE: LMT ). and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. based in Fort Worth, Texas, have been awarded a cost modification contract, not to exceed $180 million. The contract is an addition to a previously awarded contract (N0001923C0003) and will cover the procurement of materials, parts, and components needed to convert three production F-35 aircraft into flight science replacement aircraft.

The conversion of these aircraft is necessary to avoid any increase in the test capability gap. The new flight science aircraft will enable comprehensive future flight science testing of block four capabilities. The testing will benefit the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) program partners, and Foreign Military Sales customers.

The work will be divided among several locations. Fort Worth, Texas will handle 30% of the work; El Segundo, California will take on 25%; Warton, United Kingdom will manage 20%; Orlando, Florida will oversee 10%; Nashua, New Hampshire, Grenaa, Denmark, and Baltimore, Maryland will each contribute 5%. The project is expected to be completed by December 2028.

Funding for the project will come from various sources. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds will contribute $3,587,440; an equal amount will be provided by fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds; and non-U.S. DOD program partner funds will contribute $8,772,866. These funds will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The contract action was not competed, with Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, acting as the contracting activity.

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