Pentagon Boosts F-35 Program with $24.3 Billion in Contracts
The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a series of contracts worth billions, further boosting the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme. The latest deal, valued at $11.6 million, involves redesigning a sensor circuit card assembly by 2027. This follows a December 2024 announcement worth $11.8 billion, bringing the total to approximately $24.3 billion.
The contract modifications include provisions for 148 F-35s from lot 18 and an additional 148 in lot 19. Lockheed has also received a $101 million contract to secure parts that may face shortages. Notably, the U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed a separate $11.6 million contract for redeveloping a sensor gyro module. The per-jet price increase will be less than the rate of inflation, according to Lockheed.
In December 2024, the Pentagon awarded Lockheed Martin a $12.5 billion contract for nearly 300 F-35s. These jets will be primarily manufactured at Lockheed's Fort Worth, Texas, factory and deliveries are set to commence next year. Another contract, worth $137 million, will fund engineering changes to lot 17 of the F-35 to address diminishing manufacturing sources.
With over 1,230 F-35s in service across twelve nations, including the United States, South Korea, and Israel, these latest contracts ensure the continued production and improvement of the F-35 programme. The Pentagon's investments reflect the fighter jet's strategic importance and Lockheed Martin's commitment to enhancing its capabilities.
