The ACURL is used to develop, verify, and validate mission data files and allows Australia, the UK (jet pictured) and Canada the capability to reprogramme F-35 mission data to quickly execute sovereign missions, Janes has been told. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has contracted Lockheed Martin to establish full operating capability (FOC) of the Australia Canada United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory (ACURL) for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

A company official told Janes on 16 March that a contract notification posted by the DoD the previous week pertained to establishing FOC for the ACURL in support of the F-35 Block 4 configuration.

“The ACURL is used to develop, verify, and validate mission data files and allows Australia, the UK, and Canada the capability to reprogramme F-35 mission data to quickly execute sovereign missions,” the official said. “Phase 1 established the initial operating capability for the laboratory, providing an initial facility, test line, and tools. Phase 2 provides the path to full operating capability and will support Block 4 configuration.”