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A new vice president has been appointed to replace OJ Sanchez, who has taken up a lead role in the Integrated Fighter Group project.
Lockheed Martin has announced the appointment of Kevin Smith as the vice president of the F-22 program, responsible for the development, manufacture and sustainment of the fleet in partnership with the US Air Force.
Smith replaces OJ Sanchez, who has transitioned to the role of vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group (F-16/F-22).
Smith assumes his new role after serving as director, F-35A US Air Force program manager — responsible for the integration of all aspects of the program, including meeting Air Force delivery objectives.
The new VP of the F-22 program has also held roles as director, F-35 domestic business development; F-22 modernisation business development lead; and project lead for F-22 advanced technology development as part of the F-22 improvement and derivatives team.
Smith first joined Lockheed Martin in 2002 after retiring as a US Air Force fighter pilot.
During his career in the military, Smith flew A-10s and F-15Es, led the F-22 operational requirements team at Air Combat Command, and served as the Deputy Commander, Air Force Command and Control Battle Lab.
Sanchez welcomed his successor to the new role.
“Kevin’s integrated experience across our platforms paired with his fighter pilot background will allow him to lead and partner with the F-22 enterprise,” he said.
“This position will build on the Raptor’s dominant foundation to deliver the air power solutions of the future.”
[Related: Lockheed Martin launches next-generation GPS III satellite to orbit]
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
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