Lockheed Martin secures $12.5 billion Lot 18-19 F-35 production contract
The USAF will receive 40 F-35As in this recent Lot 18-19 contract. (Photo: USAF)
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract modification worth US$12.5 billion from the US Pentagon to produce and deliver 296 F-35 aircraft for the US Air Force (USAF), US Navy (USN) and US Marine Corps (USMC), along with programme partners and international customers.
The contract award covers Lot 18 and Lot 19 – definitising 148 aircraft for Lot 18 and expanding the scope for production and delivery of 148 for Lot 19. Deliveries on the lots will begin in 2026, Lockheed Martin confirmed.
The aircraft included in the delivery will comprise 40 F-35As for the USAF, 12 F-35Bs and eight
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
Eurosatory 2026: First public flight of Teledyne FLIR Black Recon reconnaissance system
The drone took flight as undisclosed European customers are testing the system. Defence Insight highlights the Nordic region and existing Black Hornet users as potential early customers amid growing demand for micro-UAVs.
-
Eurosatory 2026: The H160M’s agnostic approach to drones draws global interest
As Airbus Helicopters advances its H160M Guépard programme towards targeted first delivery in late 2028 for the French Army, the platform’s “agnostic” approach to drone integration could offer a window into how Western militaries are rethinking the relationship between crewed rotorcraft and uncrewed systems.
-
Eurosatory 2026: Counter-drone moves into mainstream security market
Counter-drone technology is becoming a core requirement for European law enforcement and public security agencies as drone threats continue to evolve.
-
Eurosatory 2026: Windracers highlights UK drone momentum
Windracers is using Eurosatory 2026 to showcase its ULTRA autonomous cargo aircraft following its selection for a major UK support package for Ukraine and growing government backing for drone operations.