Lockheed Martin's Aeronautics division is getting a new pilot in command. On June 1, Orlando "OJ" Sanchez Jr. is set to take over as president from longtime leader Greg Ulmer, who is retiring after more than 30 years with the company. The handoff affects a roughly $30 billion operation that employs tens of thousands of workers, including the Fort Worth crews that build the F-35, at a time when Lockheed is pushing hard to ramp up fighter and munitions production.
As reported by Breaking Defense, Lockheed announced the leadership change last Wednesday and confirmed that Sanchez will formally assume control of the Aeronautics unit on June 1. That coverage cast the move as part of a long-planned succession strategy meant to knit together high-volume production work with cutting-edge development programs.
In a news release, Lockheed Martin described Aeronautics as a "$30 billion business with more than 35,000 people" and said Ulmer would stay on as an adviser during the transition. Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet praised both executives, saying, "OJ has demonstrated steadfast leadership and a passion for performance and the mission -- we look forward to his continued impact as he leads Aeronautics into its next chapter." Ulmer called his time leading the division the honor of a lifetime.
Sanchez's résumé and Skunk Works roots
Sanchez joined Lockheed in 2014 after a U.S. Air Force career that included combat missions in the F-22 and command of operational units. Aviation Week notes that he most recently led the storied Skunk Works, where he oversaw advanced technology development and integration on classified programs. That mix of stealth experience and factory reality is exactly what Lockheed says it needs as Aeronautics juggles current production with next-generation projects.
Where the business stands
According to the company's latest earnings release, Lockheed Martin reported first-quarter 2026 sales of $18.0 billion, with Aeronautics accounting for roughly $6.95 billion of that total. Segment operating profit and margins came under pressure from accounting adjustments and program timing, a reminder that even blockbuster programs can feel financial turbulence.
The F-35 program remains the backbone of Aeronautics. The company delivered a record 191 F-35s in 2025 as it worked through a backlog and accelerated production, according to Defense News. Those delivery numbers help explain why Lockheed is elevating an executive who has straddled both the experimental world of Skunk Works and the very real pressure of getting jets out the door on schedule.
Sanchez officially takes the reins on June 1, while Ulmer shifts into a strategic adviser role during the handoff. Local suppliers and the Fort Worth workforce will be watching closely to see how the new leadership team maintains production tempo and program deliveries, a dynamic highlighted by the Fort Worth Report.
