Case Study 2 Virtual Teams in Action: Building the F-35 Fighter The F-35 Lighting II Program, also known as the Joint Teams working both nationally and internation- Fighter Program, is the U.S. Department of Defense's ally were connected as if team members were work- next generation stealth fighter aircraft. The Depart-ing in the same room. Teams communicated via their ment of Defense named Lockheed Martin Aeronau computers while looking at shared documents, car- tics of Fort Worth, Texas, to design and build the ried on e-mail chats, and used electronic whiteboards fighter with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems on which geographically separated team members as major partners. Several countries, including Italy, could draw pictures or charts, in real time, as others Australia, Canada, Turkey, India, and Israel, have con watched and responded. The Internet was designed tributed toward development costs of the program. to allow people from different companies with in- The success of the mega project hinges greatly compatible computing systems to interface on web- on intricate teamwork and the cooperation of count sites that speak a common language. less individuals. For example, more than 80 suppliers worked at 187 locations worldwide to build compo- Questions nents for the fighter. A 75-member technology group 1. What advantages did Lockheed Martin gain by at Lockheed's aeronautics division linked the suppliers using virtual teams? Explain. along with the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marines to Britain's Defense Ministry to track progress and make 2. Identify and discuss potential problems with us- ing virtual teams--for example, interpersonal, midstream design and production changes. Individuals technical, or geographical concerns. working at more than 40,000 computer stations collab- orated to get the first plane airborne in just four years. 3. Discuss the characteristics that virtual team Speaking of the teamwork involved, Mark Peden, vice members should possess. president for information systems at Lockheed Aero 4. What specific training should virtual teams nautics, said, "It's the true virtual connection." receive