WASHINGTON, March 25, 2015 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today showcased its F-35 Lightning II mobile cockpit demonstrator to Members of Congress at the Rayburn House Office Building.

“We owe our future generations the strongest, most advanced national defense possible. The F-35 is a critical piece in our defense arsenal that will allow us to continue our dominance in the skies into the next generation,” said Rep. Kay Granger, co-chair and founder of the Congressional Joint Strike Fighter Caucus.

“The F-35 is being recognized around the world as a game changer in defense. Powered by Pratt & Whitney engines produced in East Hartford, Connecticut, this aircraft plays a critical role in maintaining our nation's military superiority," said Rep. John Larson, co-chair of the Congressional Joint Strike Fighter Caucus.

“We’re pleased to be able to demonstrate the capabilities of the F-35 Lightning II here in the nation’s capital,” said Lorraine Martin, executive vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program for Lockheed Martin. “With more than 1,200 domestic suppliers in 49 states and Puerto Rico, the F-35 program supports more than 129,000 direct and indirect jobs and provides $380 billion in economic impact across the country.”

In additional to American economic impact, thousands more are employed in the F-35 program’s partner countries, which include the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway.  

During today’s event, attendees received an update on the status of the program as well as the opportunity to “fly” the
F-35 cockpit demonstrator to experience stealth capability, fighter agility and integrated information through the eyes of a pilot. The cockpit is visually and audibly interactive and provides a realistic look at the F-35’s performance, air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, sophisticated sensor fusion and advanced computational capabilities.  

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully-fused sensor information and network-enabled operations.