Lockheed Martin has secured a nearly $12-billion contract to produce 145 additional F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets for the US military and its international allies.
Announced on Friday, the deal covers full-rate production of three F-35 variants under procurement lot 18.
The US Air Force is set to receive 48 F-35As, while the US Marine Corps will soon welcome 16 more F-35Bs and five F-35Cs. The US Navy will also get 14 F-35C aircraft.
Additionally, 39 F-35As and seven F-35Bs will be delivered to international allies under foreign military sales agreements. Undisclosed non-program partners will also receive 15 F-35As and one F-35B aircraft
Most of the work for the contract will take place in Texas and California, with an expected completion date of June 2027.
Uncertain Future
Lockheed’s F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft designed to give the US military air superiority in highly-contested battlespace.
It is equipped with advanced avionics, stealth technology, and network systems to ensure precision and effectiveness in complex threat scenarios.
Despite its high demand, the future of the Lightning II remains unclear, with Elon Musk, a key ally of US president-elect Donald Trump, criticizing the program.
Musk, who is also set to co-lead a proposed commission that could recommend government spending cuts, has called officials “idiots” for continuing to build the aircraft.
His co-lead, Vivek Ramaswamy, has also advocated for shifting funds toward unmanned platforms instead of traditional fighter jets.
