LightWorks Lands F-22 Work

LightWorks Optics Inc. of Tustin, Calif., was recently awarded a $3.2 million contract from Lockheed Martin for increased production of missile launch detectors used in F-22 Raptor jet fighters.

The F-22, the US Air Force's newest fighter jet, now in production, was developed by an Air Force aerospace industry team comprised of Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and BAE Systems.

(Photo courtesy Lockheed Martin Corp.)

Four bases are operating Raptors: Edwards AFB, Calif.; Nellis AFB, Nev.; Tyndall AFB, Fla.; and Langley AFB, Va. Future bases will include Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Holloman AFB, New Mexico (late 2008) and Hickam AFB, Hawaii (late 2010). By the end of 2008, Elmendorf will be home to 40 raptors.

The first deployment of 12 F-22s from the 27th fighter squadron of the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley is in progress, with F-22s operating from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.

LightWorks Optics design, manufactures and tests precision optical systems and components.

For more information, visit: www.lwoptics.com