Overview
- The Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin announced a framework on Thursday that would cover production and sustainment of 850 U.S. F‑35 aircraft across Lots 21–30 at a planned rate of 156 jets per year.
- The announcement is a pre-arranged 10‑year framework that does not become a formal contract until the DoD receives multiyear procurement authority and Congress provides appropriations.
- Lockheed pledged at least $7 billion in self‑funded program investments and said the structure pairs aircraft buys with spares and modification kits to lower unit costs through volume purchasing.
- Officials say the framework is meant to stabilize the supplier base, shorten parts lead times, and raise fleet mission‑capable rates by removing the uncertainty of annual contracting.
- Lockheed estimates the plan would support roughly 317,000 U.S. jobs and generate about $79 billion in annual economic activity over the next decade but final savings and readiness gains depend on contract terms and congressional funding.