Lockheed Martin recently held the grand opening of a new facility that expands its Johnstown (Pennsylvania) operations. As a result, the company is expecting to hire more than 80 mechanics and technicians in the next year to support component production for the newest F-16s being manufactured in Greenville, South Carolina.
In conjunction, Lockheed Martin is celebrating 25 years in Pinellas Park, Florida, and its ongoing commitment to growing job opportunities in Florida; this will include at least 50 new jobs over the next two years.
Nick Drazic, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’s operations vice president, said: “At Lockheed Martin, we are driven by a sense of purpose and passion to shape the future and solve the world’s most difficult challenges.
“We bring that same passion and purpose to our communities, where our employees play an active role in strengthening the quality of life where we live and work.”
The Johnstown facility opened in 1987 and produces components for the C-130A-J Super Hercules, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Falcon aircraft. The site also supports ‘sustainment efforts’ for the C-130A-J, LM-100J, F-16, F-22 Raptor, P-3 Orion and C-5 Galaxy aircraft programmes.
The F-16 parts that will now be produced in Johnstown include the aft engine access covers, engine access doors, along with the F-1 fuel tank and inlet. Upon completion in Johnstown, the parts will be shipped to Greenville, South Carolina, for final assembly and integration into the F-16s on the production line. This is in addition to the F-16 component and sub-assembly work already being undertaken at the site.
Over the past 25 years, the Pinellas Park facility has become a ‘Canopy Centre of Excellence’, building both production and sustainment canopies for F-35 and F-16 aircraft. It also works on parts and components for the F-35, F-16 and C-130J.
Lindsay Muth, Lockheed Martin’s Pinellas Park general manager, said: “The team has driven innovation, efficiency, and focus, while setting industry benchmarks in the manufacturing process by reducing build times by 50%. It truly is an exciting time to be at Pinellas Park.
“We have a world-class team that produces world-class results; and that shows through our products and our culture. We are proud to celebrate 25 years in Pinellas Park and look forward to continuously growing employment opportunities and partnering with our local community.”
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corp is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 114,000 people.