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1h ago

Pentagon Finalizes F-35 Lots 18–19 Contract Worth $24.3 Billion for 296 Jets

The definitized buy sets price baselines that clear the way to negotiate a multiyear Lot 20.

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Overview

  • The Sept. 29 contract modification for $12.5 billion finalized Lot 18 and added Lot 19 scope, building on a December 2024 $11.8 billion award to total $24.29 billion for 296 aircraft.
  • The deal sets an average airframe price of $82.4 million across variants and customers, excluding F135 engines that are procured separately, with a Lot 19 engine award yet to be issued.
  • Lot 19 allocates 40 F-35As to the Air Force; 12 F-35Bs and eight F-35Cs to the Marine Corps; nine F-35Cs to the Navy; 13 F-35As and two F-35Bs to partners; and 52 F-35As and 12 F-35Bs to FMS customers.
  • Deliveries from Lots 18 and 19 begin in 2026, with Lot 19 production expected to conclude by August 2028 as the program enters full‑rate production and positions Lot 20 for potential multiyear terms.
  • Program officials said per-jet price growth remained below inflation, and the Pentagon also issued $137.2 million, $101.1 million, and $11.6 million awards for DMSMS mitigation, advance parts procurement, and a NextGen DAS electronics redesign.