Fifth generation Joint Strike Fighter gets IFS MRO ERP support

The system has already been deployed in ALIS for supply chain management, but Lockheed Martin has now also selected IFS Applications for ALIS maintenance management. IFS says it expects the new system to be rolled out in support of the third LRIP (low rate initial production) contract of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter – the fifth generation fighter that combines stealth with supersonic speed and is set to replace current fighters throughout the US armed forces – planned for 2010. Essentially, ALIS integrates aircraft performance, operational parameters, aircraft configuration, scheduled upgrades and maintenance, component history, diagnostics, health management and service support for the F-35 aircraft – with reporting in-flight so that ground crews can rapidly marshal appropriate maintenance and repair plant, components and services. In July, Lockheed Martin signed a contract to use IFS for the JAMES Land (joint asset management engineering solution) project for the UK MoD, expanding IFS’ role in that project by adding software components for engineering, asset data collection and analysis, as well as workshop management.