Lockheed: No concern that Raytheon-UTC merger will affect F-35 program

LE BOURGET, France (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin F-35 program manager Greg Ulmer said on Monday he had "no concern" that the proposed merger of Raytheon Co and United Technologies Corp would affect the F-35 program or pressure its margins.

"I don't see any concern," Ulmer told reporters at the Paris Airshow when asked if the merger of two key suppliers would affect the F-35 program, which is working hard to reduce costs.

Ulmer also said Turkish firms continued to produce components for the aircraft despite a row over Ankara's plans to buy the Russian S-400 air defense system.

He said plans by the U.S. government to start winding down Turkey's participation in the F-35 program would not affect Lockheed's production plan this year.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Mark Potter)