Pentagon and Lockheed unveil framework for 850 more F-35s

The Department of War and Lockheed Martin have unveiled a framework agreement for multiyear F-35 production and sustainment covering 850 US aircraft over 10 years, at a continued production rate of 156 aircraft a year.

Why it matters: The framework would lock in a decade of F-35 orders across Lots 21 to 30, with initial spares, modification kits and sustainment included, but it is not yet a contract: pricing and schedules still need a formal award, and that depends on Congress granting multiyear authority and appropriations in the coming months.

Data as of Lockheed Martin announcement of October 22, 2026, issued with the Department of War and read in full via PR Newswire; the framework terms, production rate and savings and jobs figures are Lockheed Martin's and the Department's own as stated in that announcement. Bloomberg report of October 22, 2026, read in search extract, corroborating at least 850 additional aircraft and noting the Pentagon statement gave no contract value and the contract is not yet final. Developing item.

The Department of War and Lockheed Martin unveiled the framework on Thursday. It covers 850 US aircraft over 10 years, with associated initial spares, 10 years of modification kits and sustainment, and international customer orders across Lots 21 to 30, at a continued production rate of 156 aircraft a year. Lockheed said the framework is expected to save taxpayers billions of dollars over the program’s life through long term pricing and volume discounts, and that it will support 317,000 US jobs and about $79 billion in annual economic activity over the next decade.

The agreement is a framework, not a signed contract. If Congress grants multiyear authority and the associated appropriations in the coming months, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed will finalise contract terms, pricing and schedules through a formal contract award, and the Pentagon statement carried no value for the deal. Bloomberg described the planned purchase as the biggest in the program’s quarter century history. More than 1,375 F-35s are currently fielded worldwide, according to Lockheed.

Pentagon and Lockheed unveil framework for 850 more F-35s

Sources