Lockheed Martin continues F-2 support

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries continued to award Lockheed Martin contracts for support of F-2 production. This is the twelfth year in a row that they got this contract. See the story here. Lockheed Martin has now been contracted to work on all 94 F-2 aircraft ordered by the Japanese government. This again illustrates how linked the world’s aviation and military development and production business is. Most governments are looking for the best value in their procurements and that drives companies to develop links with suppliers all across the world. For more on the F-2 see this wikipedia article.

Japan to modernize E-2C aircraft

Northrop-Grumman received a contract worth $37 M to upgrade Japan’s E-2C aircraft. See an article here. Originally a carrier based Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS); several countries like Egypt, Israel, Singapore and Japan have bought it to base on land and use in their restricted airspace.

Japan KC-767 passes key test

January 29, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Boeing, Italy, Japan, commercial aviation, logistics 

Boeing tested the KC-767 aircraft they are building for Japan by conducting night refueling operations. See CNNMoney.com for more on this story. Japan will receive 2 aircraft next year and Boeing is also building KC-767 for Italy. Of course, Boeing and EADS are in a fight for the KC-X tanker contract from the US Air Force.

Japan awards Lockheed Martin contract for AEGIS work

January 14, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Japan, Lockheed Martin, production program 

Lockheed Martin was awarded a $40 M contract to provide AEGIS systems for the Japanese ship Myoko. This will be one of the AEGIS destroyers that Japan is building. The press release is available on CNNMoney.com.

Japan to cancel portion of AH-64 order due to cost issues

January 4, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Boeing, Japan, Restructuring, production program 

The Japanese government announced that it would not buy the one AH-64D budgeted for next year due to the large cost increases caused by Boeing’s decision to reduce production. Japan had plans to purchase 62 aircraft, with 10 so far delivered. The Boeing decision reduced the remaining quantity to 4, but the the cost almost tripled due to the Boeing cutback. See this story here.