WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin announced Thursday a 10-year production and sustainment framework under which it would build 850 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets for the U.S. military, FOX 10 reported.
The framework also covers initial spare parts, 10 years of modification kits and sustainment, and international orders, with production continuing at 156 aircraft a year.
CEO Jim Taiclet said the longer-term certainty would let the company invest up front to expand capacity, improve efficiency and strengthen its supply chain.
The agreement depends on Congress granting multiyear authority and appropriations, which would allow Lockheed and the F-35 Joint Program Office to finalize pricing, schedules and a formal contract.
Arizona’s Luke Air Force Base in Glendale is a major training hub for F-35 pilots.
Sources: FOX 10 Phoenix. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Airman 1st Class Alexander Cook / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
