The US Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin have agreed a 10-year framework covering at least 850 F-35 Lightning II aircraft for US forces. Announced in Arlington, Virginia, the arrangement also includes international customer orders, initial spares, modification kits and sustainment. It is not yet a production contract: congressional authorisation for multiyear procurement and the necessary funding are required before final terms can be negotiated.
The F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin are expected to settle prices, delivery schedules and other contractual conditions in the coming months if the required approvals are secured. The potential value of the framework has not been disclosed.
Lockheed plans to maintain production at 156 aircraft annually across the programme. The company also intends to invest at least $7 billion of its own funds in initiatives supporting F-35 production and sustainment. Long-term pricing arrangements and volume discounts are expected to reduce costs, while the framework is intended to provide greater planning certainty for the programme and its suppliers.
Lockheed estimates that the plan would support about 317,000 US jobs and generate nearly $79 billion in annual economic activity over the next decade. The agreement covers production Lots 21 through 30 and is designed to stabilise manufacturing capacity and strengthen the US defence industrial base.