Lockheed Martin Wins $11.8B Pentagon Contract for F-35 Production

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Lockheed Martin a $11.8 billion contract for the production and delivery of 145 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters under production lot 18, according to an official statement.

This modification contract covers delivery of 145 F-35 full rate production (FRP) Lot 18 aircraft (48 F-35A aircraft for the Air Force; 16 F-35B aircraft and five F-35C aircraft for the Marine Corps; 14 F-35C aircraft for the Navy; 15 F-35A aircraft and one F-35B aircraft for F-35 non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) program partners; and 39 F-35A aircraft and seven F-35B aircraft for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers).

Additionally, tooling support is being provided for Italy and Japan’s final assembly and checkout facilities.

The Pentagon aims to finalize this agreement by the spring of 2024, with discussions continuing over pricing and quantities. Production lot 19 is expected to be addressed in a similar contract after the fiscal 2025 budget approval.

The project is scheduled for completion in June 2027.

Negotiations for production lots 18 and 19 have faced delays due to inflation and logistical hurdles. While a preliminary “handshake” agreement was reached in November, this undefinitized award ensures production continues without interruption.

The F-35 program remains a focal point of debate in U.S. defense policy. Critics, including figures like Elon Musk, have questioned its cost-effectiveness, while outgoing Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has defended continued investment in the stealth fighter.