As a member of NATO, Turkey has helped maintain regional peace and security. In partnership with Turkish industry and government, Lockheed Martin has contributed to Turkey’s defense capabilities as well as other important government projects such as vessel traffic control through some of the busiest waterways in the world.

In 2002, the government of Turkey announced its decision to join the international F-35 Joint Strike Fighter team. Turkey joins the Joint Strike Fighter program in the System Development and Demonstration phase, enabling that country to influence elements of the aircraft’s design. With a common design and three variants, the multirole F-35 will give pilots a distinct advantage in the skies.

In 1984, a joint venture to coproduce F-16 Fighting Falcons was formed between Turkish Aircraft Industries (TUSAS) and Lockheed Martin. The first Turkish-built F-16 flew in 1987. In 1996, the Turkish Air Force received Block 50 F-16s, and up to 75 percent of those aircraft were manufactured by Turkish industry. In 1997, the Turkish Air Force activated its first Block 50 F-16 base, Merzifon Air Base, bringing the number of F-16 bases in Turkey to five.

One of the significant benefits of creating such partnerships is the ability to open new global markets for all members of the team. For example, aside from providing F-16s to the Turkish Air Force, the TAI joint venture has also built 46 F-16s for the Egyptian Air Force. In addition to several types of rotary-wing aircraft, TAI produces transport aircraft under a subcontract from DaimlerChrysler Aerospace’s plant in Spain, formerly Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., or CASA.

In addition to F-16 coproduction, Lockheed Martin supplies the Turkish military with electronics systems integration that adds capability to platforms such as fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, as well as defense information technologies.

For example, the LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared Night) system provides exact navigational capabilities day or night, in good or adverse weather, to allow the aircrew to locate the target, gain positive identification and attack from standoff distances. Over 1,600 LANTIRN pods are deployed worldwide to U.S. and allied forces, including Turkey. Pilot displays are real-time thermal imagery from the FLIR and presented in the Head-Up-Display and Multi-Functional Displays.

Turkey’s army also is equipped with the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), a long-range guided missile fired from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). ATACMS was instrumental in the allied success in Operation Desert Storm, destroying or rendering inoperable every target it engaged. Turkey was the first U.S. ally to receive Lockheed Martin’s ATACMS. The ATACMS Block II program is in production, and incorporates 13 Brilliant Anti-armor Technology (BAT) submunitions to defeat enemy armored combat vehicles.

An advanced variant of the Hellfire II missile, the AGM-114M, is deployed on Turkey's S-70B Seahawk rotary wing aircraft. The AGM-114M incorporates a blast fragmentation warhead and delay fuze in the proven Hellfire II airframe. This increases the missile's capability in an anti-ship role. Turkey also deploys the Hellfire AGM-114K on the Turkish Army's AH-1W aircraft. 

Defense technology is only part of the story of Lockheed Martin’s extensive partnerships in Turkey. As a nation bridging Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Turkey has historically been a nation of ports, commerce and trade. The Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea are among the busiest waterways in the world.

In October 1999, the Turkish government chose Lockheed Martin to install a Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) for the Istanbul and Çanakkle Straits. The Istanbul and Çanakkle Straits are among the most challenging waterways in the world to navigate because of the volume of maritime traffic passing near Istanbul.

All vessel traffic moving between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea will be controlled by VTMIS. The project includes 16 radar sites along the waterways as well as an advanced set of supporting video, meteorological, hydrographic and navigation sensors.

VTMIS, designed to improve both efficiency and safety on these busy shipping channels, has been developed by Lockheed Martin and its Turkish partners — Netas, Havelsan and  Aselsan..  The system is completely operational and has been turned over to the Turkish authorities.  Lockheed Martin has similar VTMIS technology installed, or being installed, in 14 countries.