Lockheed Martin will construct as much as 296 F-35s as a part of Heaps 18 and 19, with first deliveries in 2026.
Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Workplace (JPO) introduced they reached a last settlement for the Manufacturing Heaps 18 and 19, which can see the corporate constructing as much as 296 F-35s. As a part of the contract, F-35s will likely be produced for the U.S. companies, worldwide companions and International Navy Gross sales (FMS) prospects, with first deliveries in 2026.
“The F-35 Lot 18-19 contract represents continued confidence in probably the most inexpensive and succesful fighter plane in manufacturing at this time,” stated Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and Basic Supervisor of the F-35 Lightning II program at Lockheed Martin. “We’re proud to help our prospects and additional solidify the F-35’s position in enabling peace by way of power.”
We’ve reached an settlement with the U.S. authorities for 296 F-35s. Try the settlement quick information under: ⬇️
🌎 Consists of F-35s for U.S. companies and key allies🛡️ Ensures air dominance for many years to come back pic.twitter.com/pZ1qXksIJz
— F-35 Lightning II (@thef35) September 29, 2025
Heaps 18 and 19
Lockheed Martin was awarded in December 2024 a primary undefinitized contract for Lot 18, value $11.8 billion, to supply a complete of 145 F-35s by June 2027. This contract was adopted in August 2025 by a $2.9 billion contract to Pratt & Whitney for 141 F135 engines for use on Lot 18 plane.
In accordance with the Lot 18 contract discover, the 145 jets embrace 48 F-35A plane for the Air Pressure, 16 F-35B plane and 5 F-35C plane for the Marine Corps, 14 F-35C plane for the Navy, 15 F-35A plane and one F-35B plane for F-35 non-U.S. DoD program companions, and 39 F-35A plane and 7 F-35B plane for International Navy Gross sales (FMS) prospects.
The brand new contract modification awarded on Sept. 29, 2025, value $12.5 billion, elevated Lot 18 to 148 plane and added 148 F-35s as a part of Lot 19. The latter embrace 40 F-35A plane for the Air Pressure, 12 F-35B and eight F-35C plane for the Marine Corps, 9 F-35C plane for the Navy, 13 F-35A and two F-35B plane for F-35 cooperative program companions, and 52 F-35A and 12 F-35B plane for International Navy Gross sales (FMS) prospects.
The contract discover additional provides that the manufacturing of Lot 19 is predicted to be accomplished in August 2028. A contract for the engines wanted by Lot 19 has not but been awarded.
The Value
Summing up the values of the December 2024 and September 2025 contracts, the full worth of the mixed Heaps 18 and 19 is roughly $24.3 billion. Contemplating the full of 296 plane, the typical value of an airframe can be simply shy of $82.1 million, to which the worth of the engine nonetheless must be added. For Lot 18, this could imply a further $20.5 million for every jet.
The costs of every variant as a part of the 2 new tons haven’t been disclosed but. Beforehand, for Manufacturing Heaps 15 by way of 17, the JPO stated the typical flyaway price of an F-35A was $82.5 million, $109 million for an F-35B, and $102.1 million per F-35C.
Within the press launch, Lockheed Martin stated “the rise in value per jet in Lot 18-19 from earlier years was lower than the speed of inflation.” Breaking Protection beforehand reported that protection officers stated the “vital value improve” of Lot 18 is “primarily attributed to inflation, vital international value will increase for uncooked supplies, and provide chain disruptions.”
The report surfaced as negotiations for the contract had been nonetheless ongoing. The publication quoted an announcement from the JPO, which anticipated the wording discovered within the newest press launch: “The worldwide financial system has skilled vital inflationary pressures for the reason that Lot 15-17 contract was signed. However, the F-35 Joint Program Workplace and Lockheed Martin arrived at a value per air automobile under the related inflation indices, underscoring the F-35 Enterprise’s dedication to regulate prices. Adjusted for inflation, the fee per air automobile is per the price of these in Lot 15-17.”
Further F-35 Contracts
Along with the Heaps 18 and 19 contract, the Pentagon awarded further contracts for the F-35 Lightning II on Sept. 29, 2025. Amongst these is a $137.2 contract “to supply diminishing manufacturing sources and engineering change proposals implementation and integration in help of updating configurations for F-35 manufacturing plane Lot 17.”
One other contract, value $101,1 million, has been awarded for the “superior procurement of components inclined to anticipated diminishing manufacturing sources and materials shortages occasions in help of F-35 manufacturing and sustainment.”
Lastly, a $11,6 million contract was awarded for the “redesign of the Sensor Electronics circuit card meeting in help of resolving the NextGen Electro Optical Distributed Aperture System diminishing manufacturing sources and materials shortages redesign.” This refers back to the upgraded DAS system, which was deliberate to interchange the unique system since 2023 for Lot 15 plane onwards.
