Lockheed Martin [LMT] yesterday announced several personnel changes at its Aeronautics segment, with F-35 Lighting II program chief Orlando Carvalho becoming head of Aeronautics effective immediately with the retirement of current segment chief Larry Lawson, who is departing the company on April 5.
Carvalho, 54, is now executive vice president of Aeronautics. Lorraine Martin, 50, who had been Carvalho’s deputy on the strike fighter aircraft program, is now vice president and general manager of the F-35, putting her in charge of the multi-billion dollar aircraft project.
Lawson, 55, is retiring after 26 years with Lockheed Martin.
“I’d like to thank Larry for the many contributions he’s made to our success in his 26 years of dedicated service,” Marillyn Hewson, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin, said in a statement. “Orlando and Lorraine are impressive leaders who have consistently demonstrated their ability to build strong customer relationships, successfully manage complex programs, and inspire our teams. These appointments are examples of our deep bench of talent and demonstrate the value of our robust succession planning efforts.”
Carvalho became the company’s lead on the F-35 program in 2011 after leading the company’s $6 billion Mission Systems & Sensors business. Lockheed Martin said that under his leadership the program has consistently exceeded its flight-test plans, improved delivery of related software releases, and improved the affordability of the program.
Hewson praised Martin for helping to drive performance improvements in the F-35 program. Martin joined Aeronautics in 2008 and has also led the C-130 and C-5 cargo aircraft programs as well as the company’s Flight Solutions business, which is in charge of developing and delivering military aircrew training programs for United States and international customers.