Overview
- The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin unveiled the 10‑year Lots 21–30 framework on Oct. 22 to produce a minimum of 850 U‑S F‑35s while holding annual production at about 156 jets including international orders.
- The plan combines aircraft procurement with initial spare parts, modification kits and sustainment to fix chronic readiness shortfalls that the GAO found included a drop in mission‑capable rates from 67 percent in fiscal 2021 to 44 percent in fiscal 2025.
- Independent reporting estimated the baseline value of the decade plan at roughly $78.2 billion, though the final cost will change with the mix of F‑35A/B/C variants and inflation.
- Lockheed has pledged at least $7 billion of company funding to expand capacity and strengthen the supply chain, but the framework remains nonbinding until Congress grants multiyear procurement authority and approves appropriations.
- If approved, aggregated U‑S and partner purchases aim to lower unit and sustainment costs, improve parts availability and support jobs and industrial investment as the Air Force plans to make the F‑35A a core element of a 1,509‑fighter force by 2035.