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
-
![UK RAF’s Protector programme hits new milestones, more aircraft expected this year]()
UK RAF’s Protector programme hits new milestones, more aircraft expected this year
Further tests will be carried out on the existing fleet, ahead of the Royal Air Force’s anticipated transition from MQ-9A Reaper aircraft to the MQ-9B Protector by the end of 2025.
-
![US Army cancels FTUAS and the MQ-1 Gray Eagle as part of the Army Transformation Initiative]()
US Army cancels FTUAS and the MQ-1 Gray Eagle as part of the Army Transformation Initiative
Last week, it was revealed that the US Army intended to cancel the long-running Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS). The revelation, no doubt part of the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI), came a week after the force highlighted that it would cancel the procurement of Gray Eagle aircraft.
-
![UK receives two additional F-35B aircraft as deliveries resume]()
UK receives two additional F-35B aircraft as deliveries resume
The two aircraft were delivered in the TR-3 configuration, bringing the RAF one step closer to fulfilling its order for 48 F-35B aircraft.
-
![Rolls-Royce wins $711 million contract to support UK Royal Air Force Typhoon engines]()
Rolls-Royce wins $711 million contract to support UK Royal Air Force Typhoon engines
The contract covers maintenance and service for the EJ200 engine that powers the UK Royal Air Force’s Typhoon fleet.
-
![Teledyne FLIR upgrades Black Hornet 4 UAS]()
Teledyne FLIR upgrades Black Hornet 4 UAS
Integration and expanding capabilities are among the objectives for Teledyne FLIR to further develop its family of uncrewed systems.
