Pentagon and Lockheed Martin Agree F-35 Framework Covering 850 Jets Over 10 Years
By Neetika Walter · · TexaHub · Defence & Security, Space & Aerospace
The Department of War and Lockheed Martin announced a framework agreement for multiyear F-35 production and sustainment covering at least 850 US aircraft over 10 years. Congress must still grant multiyear authority and funding.
Scope of the Framework
The US Department of War and Lockheed Martin announced on 22 October 2026 a framework agreement for multiyear production and sustainment of the F-35 Lightning II. The framework covers 850 aircraft for the US military over 10 years with initial spares, 10 years of modification kits and sustainment services, and international customer orders across production Lots 21 to 30. [1]
Lockheed Martin said it would keep F-35 production at 156 aircraft per year. The company also said it would invest at least $7 billion of its own funds in programme initiatives. [1] [2]
Approval Still Required
The agreement depends on Congress granting multiyear authority and the associated appropriations. If that happens, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin will finalise contract terms, pricing and schedules through a formal contract award, according to the company. [1]
Interesting Engineering reported that the deal forms part of the Trump administration's push to speed up defence procurement, and noted that the Pentagon has also pursued multiyear agreements for Patriot and THAAD interceptors. [2]
Cost and Supply Chain Claims
Lockheed Martin said combining aircraft production with purchases of spare and modification parts would lower unit prices, and that long-term contracts would allow bulk buying of materials and parts. The company said the framework would save taxpayers billions over the aircraft's lifecycle. [1]
According to Interesting Engineering, suppliers that meet performance targets could earn higher profits under a fixed-price escalation model, and parts could be pooled across production and maintenance. Chief executive Jim Taiclet said on an earnings call that the deal would let suppliers invest in hiring and software and should reduce delayed or substandard deliveries to the Fort Worth, Texas, plant. [2]
Under Secretary of War Michael Duffey said: "We have fundamentally changed how we stabilize the American defense industrial base to produce at speed and scale." Taiclet said in the company statement that the framework "strengthens the way we can plan and invest in the F-35 enterprise." [1] [2]
Fleet Figures
Lockheed Martin said more than 1,375 F-35s are fielded worldwide, the fleet has passed one million flight hours, and the aircraft operates from 42 bases. The company said the programme would support 317,000 US jobs and about $79 billion in annual economic activity over the next decade. [1]
Sources
[1] New Framework Agreement for Multiyear F-35 Production and Sustainment — Lockheed Martin
[2] 1,200 mph US F-35 fighter fleet set for massive 850-jet expansion under 10-year deal — Interesting Engineering