Lockheed Martin and DoD move closer to agreement on F-35 Lots 18 and 19
In December 2022, Lockheed Martin was awarded $1 billion to begin ordering long-lead parts for Lot 18 aircraft. (Photo: US Air Force)
The formal contract is expected before the end of 2024. Lockheed Martin stated in October 2024 that negotiations surrounding the Lots 18 and 19 were still underway.
Lockheed Martin has moved closer towards a deal with the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) on its Lot 18 and Lot 19 contracts for the aircraft, via an informal agreement (known as a ‘handshake’ deal), as first reported by Air and Space Forces magazine.
While the agreement is not yet finalised, it will reportedly cover around 300 aircraft. Lockheed Martin’s final assembly line in Forth Worth, Texas has a reported capacity of 156 aircraft.
“We have reached an initial agreement as part of ongoing negotiations for the Lot 18/19 Air Vehicle Production Contract,” the JPO and Lockheed Martin said. “We will share the aircraft quantity and cost figures when a final agreement is signed.”
Related Articles
Lockheed Martin takes financial hit amid ongoing F35 troubles
Lockheed Martin previously revealed that due to delays in finalising a deal it had taken a US$700 million hit to keep production for Lots 18 and 19 running. During its Q3 2024 financials call, Lockheed Martin said it anticipated recouping in Q4 2024 some of the costs incurred once the contract for Lots 18 and 19 were negotiated.
In Q3 2024, the company delivered 48 F-35s and still expects to deliver 90 to 110 aircraft this year, with the remaining of its Lot 15-17 aircraft to follow soon after. Lot 20 is part of a separate agreement, with Lockheed recently being awarded $870 million for the long-lead materials by the US Department of Defense.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Leonardo and Baykar join forces to develop uncrewed aerial systems]()
Leonardo and Baykar join forces to develop uncrewed aerial systems
Baykar’s AKINCI drone will be the first focus platform for the joint venture, with the first prototype targeted for development in 12 to 18 months.
-
![Boeing delivers last Apache AH-64E Guardian attack helicopter to British Army]()
Boeing delivers last Apache AH-64E Guardian attack helicopter to British Army
The helicopters have been remanufactured using common parts from the British Army AH-64 MkI fleet with the 17 not being converted going for a range of uses such as engineering, ground handling and other training.
-
![Aselsan conducts live-fire test of Gözde guidance kit with F-16 aircraft]()
Aselsan conducts live-fire test of Gözde guidance kit with F-16 aircraft
The test is a first for the kit, developed via a partnership between Aselsan and Tübitak SAGE, to hit a high-speed moving target.
