F/A-22 nearing EMD completion

Published: Nov 30, 2005
Source: aimpoints.hq.af.mil



MARIETTA, Ga.--Lockheed Martin [LMT] is nearing completion of the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of its F/A-22 aircraft and the final jet of the year is nearing completion at the company's facility here.

The company has fewer than 150 test points remaining before wrapping up EMD, said Larry Lawson, F/A-22 program manager.
To date, Lockheed Martin has delivered 56 aircraft to the Air Force, Lawson said.
Next year F/A-22s will operate at Elmendorf, AFB, Alaska.
In December, the 27th Fighter Squadron First Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va., will achieve initial operational capability (IOC).
The Air Force has yet to determine the number of aircraft for IOC, Lawson said. There are 16 F/A-22s at Langley.
"IOC is the reward for all of this," Lawson said.
The squadron recently returned from operational tests at Hill AFB, Utah. The wing will next deploy to Nellis, AFB, Nev., to demonstrate the ability to operate with other aircraft, Lawson said.continue..