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Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin was awarded a $7 billion contact from the U.S. Air Force for F-22 Raptor sustainment. The terms of the deal were announced Thursday in a press statement released by the Department of Defense. The contract is classified under a indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract over a five-year period, with an expected completion date of December 2027.
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The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation stealth air-superiority fighter with ground attack capabilities and is one of the most advanced fighters in the world.
The aircraft has seen recent action in Afghanistan, as the aircraft was selected for use in counter-revenue operations targeting Taliban narcotic manufacturing locations in the northern region of Helmand Province, due to the aircraft carrying GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs -- a precision-guided weapon system.
The contract between Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force provides for comprehensive F-22 air vehicle sustainment. Work is scheduled to be performed at five operational U.S. Air Force and joint service bases and five U.S. military installation support bases across the United States, in addition to some undisclosed overseas locations.
More than $1.9 million from fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds will be obligated to Lockheed Martin at the time of award contract, according to the press release.
Last week, United Technologies was awarded $6.7 billion from the U.S. Air Force for sustainment on the Pratt and Whitney F-119 engine that powers the F-22 Raptor.
Similar to Thursday's contract award, United Technologies is also classified as a indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract until December 2025.
