Lockheed Martin Appointment Signals F-35 Fighter Transition From Development To Production Maturity (From Forbes)

Lockheed Martin disclosed today that its board has approved the promotion of Michele Evans, 53, to lead the company’s Aeronautics unit effective October 1.  Evans will thus oversee the transition from development to production maturity of the Pentagon’s biggest weapons program, the F-35 fighter.  Lockheed generated over a quarter of its second-quarter revenues from the F-35, and expects to receive a steady flow of income on the effort for many years to come.  Evans has a multi-decade history with Lockheed Martin, during which she was responsible for several of the company’s signature programs.  The F-35 effort, though, is in a class by itself and Evans’ promotion indicates a high level of confidence in her management skills on the part of senior leadership.  I have written a commentary for Forbes here.