Lockheed Martin and F-35 JPO Seal Agreement for New Production Lots

Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) have finalized an agreement for the production and delivery of up to 296 F-35 Lightning II fighters under Lots 18 and 19.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026, with the order encompassing aircraft for U.S. military branches, international partners, and foreign military sales customers.

The deal will further expand the global F-35 fleet, which is now operated by more than a dozen nations, including Germany, Denmark, and Poland.

F-35 Variants

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter available in three primary variants tailored to different operational needs:

• F-35A (CTOL): The conventional takeoff and landing model, widely adopted by the U.S. Air Force and allied nations, designed to operate from standard runways.
• F-35B (STOVL): Featuring short takeoff and vertical landing capability, this version can deploy from austere airstrips and amphibious assault ships. It is in service with the U.S. Marine Corps, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
• F-35C (CV): Optimized for carrier operations, this variant is equipped for catapult launches and arrested landings. It serves exclusively with the U.S. Navy as its first stealth fighter for carrier air wings.

General Features

Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 turbofan engine generating up to 43,000 pounds (19,500 kg) of thrust, the F-35 Lightning II combines speed, stealth, and payload versatility.

• Dimensions: Wingspan 35 feet (10.7 m), length 51 feet (15.7 m), height 14 feet (4.3 m).
• Performance: Maximum speed Mach 1.6 (1,200 mph / 1,930 km/h), range over 1,350 miles (2,175 km) on internal fuel, extendable with aerial refueling.
• Weight & Fuel: Maximum takeoff weight 70,000 pounds (31,750 kg), internal fuel capacity 18,498 pounds (8,390 kg).
• Payload: Up to 18,000 pounds (8,160 kg) of weapons, carried internally for stealth or externally for larger mission loads.

Designed for single-pilot operation, the F-35 integrates advanced avionics, sensor fusion, and network connectivity, enabling it to perform a wide spectrum of missions ranging from air superiority and strike operations to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).