Students Talk Security | Combined Aircraft Development: Catching Lightning II in a Bottle

Notre Dame International Security Center

An interview with Lt. General Eric T. Fick USAF by Martin Heli Summary: Martin Heli, a Notre Dame senior, and Lt. General Eric T. Fick USAF, the Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (Notre Dame class of ‘90) discuss the implications of international partnership in the F-35 program. Key topics are the technological advantages of fifth-generation aircraft in alliances, partner input in development, and the challenges of successful cooperation on such a complex system. Biography: Lt. Gen. Eric T. Fick is the Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office in Arlington, Virginia. The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office is the Department of Defense’s agency responsible for developing, delivering and sustaining the F-35A/B/C, the next-generation strike aircraft weapon system for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, eight international partners and four current foreign military sales customers. Lt. Gen. Fick entered the Air Force in September of 1990 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. He has served as a Logistics Plans and Programs Officer, F-16 Fighting Falcon Mechanical Systems Engineer, Computational Fluid Dynamics Research Engineer, Joint System Program Office Chief of Test, Air Staff Branch Chief, Deputy Chief of the Air Force Senate Liaison Office and Director of Global Reach Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. Lt. Gen. Fick has commanded at the squadron and group level and served twice as an Air Force Program Executive Officer. Additionally, he has logged more than 350 hours in the T-38 Talon, F-15 Eagle, F-16 and other military and civilian experimental aircraft. Prior to his current assignment, Lt. Gen. Fick was the Deputy Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program.