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2w ago

Pentagon and Lockheed Seal $24.3 Billion Deal for 296 F-35s in Lots 18–19

The definitized award sets 2026 deliveries, separates engine procurement, keeps airframe price growth below inflation.

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Overview

  • Finalized Sept. 29, the contract covers 148 airframes in Lot 18 and 148 in Lot 19 for U.S. services, program partners and Foreign Military Sales customers, with deliveries starting in 2026 from Fort Worth.
  • Lot 19 allocations include 40 F-35As for the Air Force, 12 F-35Bs and eight F-35Cs for the Marine Corps, nine F-35Cs for the Navy, 13 F-35As and two F-35Bs for partners, and 52 F-35As and 12 F-35Bs for FMS buyers.
  • The combined Lots 18–19 value is about $24.3 billion, equating to an average airframe cost around $82.1–$82.4 million that excludes engines, with the JPO and Lockheed citing increases below relevant inflation indices.
  • Engines are bought separately: the Pentagon issued a nearly $2.9 billion UCA in August for Lot 18 F135s to Pratt & Whitney (about $20.5 million per engine) that awaits definitization, and Lot 19 engine contracts have not yet been awarded.
  • The deal concludes more than two years of negotiations ahead of the fiscal year cutoff, with Lot 19 production expected to complete by August 2028.