Lockheed Martin in 2012

In 2012, Lockheed Martin’s site will focus on the C-130J, F-22, F-35, P-3 and C-5 programs. The plant is looking at continuing employment in the range of 7,700 to 8,000.

"We have a couple of things in the works," Johnny Whitaker, director of communications for Lockheed Marietta, said. "A lot of details hinge on the fiscal 2013 budget, which won't be submitted to the President until the early part of February. We're waiting on a lot more information that has to go through the bureaucracy."

Employment at the Marietta plant may fluctuate based on customer needs and production requirements throughout the year, Whitaker said.

Lockheed Martin will , and the production rate is expected to be in the 30s.

Lockheed is also poised to deliver around April. While production of F-22s has been completed, Lockheed is doing final testing and moving into a sustainment/modernization program in 2012.

The , tail number 4195, rolled off the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics assembly line at on Dec. 13.

The fighter jet was the last of 187 F-22s, which continue to . The Marietta assembly line had worked on F-22s since 1995.

F-35 center wing assembly and delivery will continue in 2012. The , where the wings attach. A company facility in Fort Worth, TX, handles final assembly of all F-35 components.

Global participation is a centerpiece of the F-35 program and essential for its success and affordability through economies of scale. The program is comprised of nine partner nations: the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway.

The P-3 wing program will also continue at Lockheed in Marietta, and the C-5 program will focus on its Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program.

With 435 aircraft in the worldwide fleet, the P-3 remains a relied-upon asset and has proven to be well adapted for maritime patrol and support in recent world events including Operation Unified Assistance in Southeast Asia, Hurricane Katrina and the BP Horizon oil rig disaster in the United States, according to Lockheed.

The P-3 Orion is operated by 21 governments and agencies in 17 nations.