Lockheed Martin receives order for nearly 130 new F-35s
F-35s produced under the modification contract will be delivered for US services and to FMS customers. (Photo: US DoD)
Lockheed Martin has secured a $7.7 million modification contract from the US Air Force for the production and delivery of 126 F-35 fighter.
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $7,7 million modification to a previously awarded advanced acquisition contract with the USAF.
This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of 126 Lot 17 F-35 aircraft to include 81 F-35A aircraft (43 for the USAF, eight for Finland, seven for Italy, six for the Netherlands, six for Poland, four for Japan, four for Belgium and three for Denmark).
It also includes 26 B variant of the F-35 jet (15 for the USMC, seven for the UK, two for Italy and two for Japan) and 19 C variant (13 for the USN and six for the USMC).
Additionally, this modification exercises options to provide for air system diminishing manufacturing sources integration, software data loads, critical safety items and red gear for the USAF, the USMC, the USN, non-DOD participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers.
Work will be performed in different locations and is expected to be completed in August 2026.
The contracting activity is the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland.
This modification contract comes as Lockheed Martin is expected to fall short of its target for delivering 156 F-35 fighter jets in 2023 due to a three-month pause in engine deliveries and delays with the Tech Refresh 3 update.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![European CCA programmes see progress as industry narrows in on key flight milestones]()
European CCA programmes see progress as industry narrows in on key flight milestones
European defence firms including Airbus, Helsing, General Atomics and Anduril are accelerating development and testing of collaborative combat aircraft to meet Germany’s loyal wingman requirement, targeting operational deployment by the end of the decade.
-
![Leonardo plans to fly uncrewed fighters alongside M-346 aircraft by mid-2026]()
Leonardo plans to fly uncrewed fighters alongside M-346 aircraft by mid-2026
The two uncrewed fighter aircraft will be made in conjunction with Baykar, which joined forces with Leonardo under LBA Systems in June 2025 to develop and produce uncrewed aerial systems for the international market.
-
![UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition]()
UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition
The startup was the only UK company to take part in the first Gauntlet for the programme, joining forces with its Ukraine partner to participate in the event.
-
![Robinson launches new uncrewed aircraft business unit, unveils new UAS cargo platform]()
Robinson launches new uncrewed aircraft business unit, unveils new UAS cargo platform
The new entity incorporates crewed and uncrewed capabilities to tackle a variety of mission demands in both defence and commercial markets.
