Lockheed Martin wants to join Europe in building a Future Large Aircraft (FLA) airlifter "so long as it is not a worked over C-130J," Micky Blackwell, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems, told Show News.

He is also interested in joining with Airbus-or the FLA team-to develop a replacement for the KC-135 tanker. "In 10 years there will be a huge need to replace that aircraft, and I would hate to give it to Boeing," he said.

Blackwell said Lockheed Martin has been waiting to see what Europe decides an FLA should look like. He sees no point in replicating a C-130J, but if that is the size of fuselage Europe wants "then the FLA should be built with two sets of wings to fit a common fuselage." This way the aircraft, with swept wings and turbofan engines, could also be built as a strategic airlifter to replace the C-141.

"If Europe goes ahead, we would like to see if Lockheed Martin can be a partner," he said.

By John Morris