F-35 Advanced Travel Pod Earns Airworthiness Certification from F-35 Joint Program Office
KIHOMAC, Inc. proudly announces that the MXU-1072/A Advanced Travel Pod (ATP) has received Airworthiness Certification from the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO). This certification marks a major milestone in the ATP’s development and confirms the system’s readiness for operational deployment.
The certification follows KIHOMAC’s successful completion of the rigorous USAF SEEK EAGLE evaluation process. This process validates the pod’s performance, safety, and integration compatibility with the F-35A Lightning II platform.
In parallel with the certification, KIHOMAC began shipping the first pods under its $7 million Lot 1 contract. We delivered the initial units to operational squadrons, with shipments continuing on a monthly basis through early 2025.
The ATP is the first composite travel pod specifically engineered for 5th-generation fighters. Its lightweight design, larger access panels, and modular cargo system improve supportability and logistics for Agile Combat Employment (ACE). By enhancing cargo flexibility and enabling self-sustained deployment, the ATP directly supports evolving USAF mission strategies.
“We built the ATP to solve real-world problems faced by maintainers and operators,” said a KIHOMAC representative. “This certification confirms that the ATP meets the highest standards for combat readiness.”
KIHOMAC anticipates a second contract award in mid-2024 to meet growing demand. The team also expects to support additional platforms, services, and international partners with customized pod variants.
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Successful KIHOMAC F35 MXU-1072/A ATP Flight Test
