16 March 2023

Lockheed Martin to upgrade F-35 mission data lab for Australia, Canada, and UK

by Gareth Jennings

The ACURL is used to develop, verify, and validate mission data files and allows Australia, the UK (jet pictured) and Canada the capability to reprogramme F-35 mission data to quickly execute sovereign missions, Janes has been told. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has contracted Lockheed Martin to establish full operating capability (FOC) of the Australia Canada United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory (ACURL) for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

A company official told Janes on 16 March that a contract notification posted by the DoD the previous week pertained to establishing FOC for the ACURL in support of the F-35 Block 4 configuration.

“The ACURL is used to develop, verify, and validate mission data files and allows Australia, the UK, and Canada the capability to reprogramme F-35 mission data to quickly execute sovereign missions,” the official said. “Phase 1 established the initial operating capability for the laboratory, providing an initial facility, test line, and tools. Phase 2 provides the path to full operating capability and will support Block 4 configuration.”

Under the Phase 2 contract announced by the DoD on 9 March, Lockheed Martin has been awarded USD106.94 million to provide engineering, test, maintenance, logistics, and material in support of upgrades to the ACURL. Work will be performed in Eglin in Florida (80%), and Fort Worth in Texas (20%), and is expected to be completed in December 2029.

Launched in 2018, the Block 4 upgrade will enable the F-35 to employ its full panoply of sensors and munitions.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has contracted Lockheed Martin to establish full operating capabi...

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