F-21 Multi-role Fighter: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics calls it force multiplier for Indian Airforce

Lockheed Martin stands ready to bring our 4th and 5th Generation fighter experience to Indian industry. (Image: F 21 Lockheed Martinl

The F-21 multi-role fighter presents a cutting-edge fusion of proven F-16 characteristics with emerging technologies from Lockheed Martin. Designed to meet the unique requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the F-21 boasts next-generation attributes, including stealth capabilities, advanced radar systems, and digital situational awareness. With superior capacity, endurance, and combat prowess, it stands as a formidable deterrent against potential threats, Moreover, offering the best value with a 30 percent lower life cycle cost, the F-21 promises to be a force multiplier for the IAF. “Through the F-21 program, India can forge long-term industrial partnerships and tap into global markets, ensuring a sustainable and robust defence infrastructure for the future,” says Randy Howard, VP, Global Pursuits, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

Following are excerpts from an exclusive interaction of Randy Howard with Huma Siddiqui:

Best Value – Highest fighter performance with lowest life cycle cost, how?

The F-21 has a 30 percent lower life cycle cost and carbon footprint almost entirely because it is a lighter weight, single engine aircraft that doesn’t burn as much fuel compared to twin-engine aircraft.

 How will it be a force multiplier?

The F-21 will be a force multiplier as the IAF leverages the requirement to increase situational awareness and distribute real-time battlefield intelligence to other assets such as Rafale, Tejas, ground forces as well as command and control centres for operational leaders. Lockheed Martin stands ready to bring our 4th and 5th Generation fighter experience to Indian industry and IAF to ensure the F-21 and indigenous aircraft are fully interoperable.

Also ReadFE Exclusive | F-21’s industrial offering will put India at epicentre of world’s largest fighter production, says Lockheed Martin chief – Defence News | The Financial Express

The F-21 programme for India is much more than procurement of the world’s most advanced 4th Generation fighter. It is the key to an affordable technology, production, supply chain and modification ecosystem for the independence and coalition capability with other regional allies of the Indian Defence Forces as well as a future source of skilled jobs for the people of India.

Advanced Aerospace Technologies: If you can elaborate further

Lockheed Martin is exploring advanced transfer of technology opportunities with India research organizations, India industry and academia. India could apply these opportunities to current and future India aerospace platforms. Discussions have involved several collaboration opportunities including: Auto Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS) – Pilot life-saving technology; indigenous Ground Floor Design, Development, Test, Production and Life Cycle Management Of New Software For The F-21 Advanced Cockpit – 5th Gen Cockpit Man Machine Interface; F-35 Fighter Weight Reduction Approaches – Naval and Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) fighter design technology; Cooperative 5th Generation Fighter Development – AMCA Development technology; Cooperative NGTD – Lockheed Martin/National Aeronautics and Space Administration Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) derived technology; and Unmanned Vehicles – Large-wing, jet powered platform technology.

Of greatest significance is Lockheed Martin’s extensive experience in developing new indigenous fighters with partner nations. These indigenous programs leverage Lockheed Martin’s advanced fighter development experience. Japan, Korea and Taiwan have derived new fighter designs from this cooperative assistance. Korea KFX is currently supported by a large team of Lockheed Martin engineers in Korea.

Also ReadLockheed Martin offers partnership opportunities to Indian companies – Defence News | The Financial Express

Building India Defence Aerospace: How?

As experienced by Lockheed Martin across the globe, effective transfer of technology requires building industrial relationships and long-term partnerships. Lockheed Martin affected the primary aerospace development in Israel, Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey, Greece, Korea and Japan. The foundation for expanding an India ecosystem is the F-21 Programme. This programme offers the opportunity to reach even greater levels of industrial development in India and connect to worldwide markets. India understands this very well as witnessed by the overwhelming dialogue initiated by Indian industry with Lockheed Martin and our Tier 1 suppliers regarding the F-21 Programme.

Technology infusion into India advanced aircraft programmes is a natural progression through cooperative projects linking Lockheed Martin, India research organisations, India industry and academia being fed by the F-21 Programme. Lockheed Martin looks forward to exploring the specifics of this cooperation and how to best aid India in future endeavours.