General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a subsidiary of aerospace and defence multinational General Dynamics, has secured a contract from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) to deliver IT support to the F-35 programme.

NAWCAD awarded the IT support contract to supplement the previous general services administration, governmentwide acquisition contract to GDIT’s General Dynamics One Source joint venture.

The contract, which holds an estimated ceiling value of $155.6m, includes a base period of two years followed by three one-year options.

Under the F-35 programme IT support contract, GDIT will provide IT services, such as cybersecurity and knowledge-based information assurance, to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Virtual Enterprise network, which supports the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO).

GDIT Defence Division senior vice-president Leigh Palmer said: “We are excited to bring a full platform of next-generation services as the primary IT provider of the F-35 JPO.



“Through GDIT’s impressive offerings, we will enable full-scale technology solutions for the successful execution of the F-35 JPO.”

“Through GDIT’s impressive offerings, we will enable full-scale technology solutions for the successful execution of the F-35 JPO.”

GDIT will provide a range of IT services for the entire JSF Virtual Enterprise network, including “programme management, enterprise performance management, enterprise architecture, implementation of emerging capabilities and requirements, life cycle management, operations and maintenance, enterprise data management, service desk support and IT training,” according to a company release.

The F-35 JPO is a multinational programme, and a central hub for the US Department of Defense’s development of next-generation fighter aircraft weapon systems. It works across all military branches including the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, as well as with US allies.

The F-35 JPO’s objective is to develop and install the F-35 air system, which, due to the highly sensitive technology involved, requires advanced IT and cybersecurity services.