WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's F-22 Division here, recently signed a $2 billion contract with Lockheed Martin that allows the company to maintain and repair all F-22 aircraft over the next four years.

The Follow-on Agile Sustainment Contract (FASTeR) is the Division's first multi-year sustainment contract for the F-22 fleet. Prior to the deal, sustainment contracts were negotiated on a yearly basis.

Keith Scheirmann, program manager for FASTeR, said that the new contract provides consistency and saves money over the long run.

"When our team met with Lockheed officials to negotiate the new contract, we knew that it had to be affordable, and save the government money," he said. "But we also had to ensure that the contract would support the fleet in a manner that would allow it to continue to provide our warfighters with the most dominant air-to-air fighter aircraft in the world. This contract meets both requirements."

From the contractor's highest offer to the final negotiated price, the FASTeR contract saved the Air Force $532 million dollars.

Lansen Conley, Chief, F-22 Product Support Management Branch, said that securing the multi-year contract ensures an affordable solution for the future sustainment of the F-22 fleet.

"In this time of tightening budgets it's crucial that we effectively manage our resources," Conley said. "Our team's focus on better buying practices will reduce our long-term costs and ensure we can continue to afford the sustainment of the F-22 fleet in the future."