But Lockheed executives said pressure in the British Parliament to cut military spending might preclude any sale.

And that is only the beginning, Lockheed executives say.

Two longtime Lockheed executives had also been in the running for the top job, analysts said.

Last year, as the deadline approached, Lockheed executives suspected that they had trumped their competitor, the Boeing Company, on the jet's design.

Although Lockheed executives would not comment on the case, the company has issued a statement that provides a glimpse into its strategy.

Today's lawsuit comes after two weeks of heated negotiations between Lockheed executives and the Government after its opposition to the deal came to light.

It toured the plant and met with Lockheed executives.

"We've been standing on the sidelines with a sneer," one Lockheed executive said.

"The Government is trying to strong-arm and bully us, and so far we have no deal," one Lockheed executive said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

At the administration's behest, a half-dozen Lockheed executives submitted affidavits saying they had no knowledge of Datacom's illegal activities.