Lockheed Martin Secures $328.5 Million U.S. Defense Contract for Advanced Systems Supporting Taiwan Air Force

Lockheed Martin Corp. has been awarded a $328.5 million U.S. defense contract to manufacture and deliver advanced targeting and navigation systems, with a substantial portion of the work supporting the operational needs of Taiwan’s Air Force. The contract highlights ongoing U.S.-Taiwan defense cooperation and reinforces Lockheed Martin’s role as a leading supplier of advanced military aviation technology.

The undefinitized contract action was awarded by the U.S. Department of War to Lockheed Martin’s facility in Orlando, Florida. Under the agreement, the company will produce a range of sophisticated systems, including Sniper targeting pods, Infrared Search and Track (IRST) systems, and Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) hardware designed for fixed-wing aircraft. These systems are critical for enhancing situational awareness, precision targeting, and night-time operational capability in complex air combat environments.

A key component of the contract involves the procurement and delivery of 55 IRST Legion Enhanced Sensor pods, along with associated processors, pod containers, and processor containers. These advanced sensor systems are being acquired to meet an urgent operational requirement of the Taiwan Air Force, strengthening its ability to detect and track airborne threats while operating in contested airspace.

The agreement is structured under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework, a mechanism used by the United States to support allied and partner nations. At the time of award, $157.3 million in FMS funds had already been obligated. The procurement was executed as a sole source acquisition, reflecting Lockheed Martin’s unique capabilities and established expertise in advanced infrared and targeting technologies.

All contract work will be performed at Lockheed Martin’s Orlando facility, with project completion expected by June 30, 2031. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Electronic Systems Contracting Branch, based in Warner Robins, Georgia, is overseeing the contracting activity. This long-term defense contract underscores the strategic importance of advanced sensor systems and continued collaboration between the United States, Lockheed Martin, and Taiwan’s Air Force.