F-35 Engine Production Contract Slips to Spring 2026

The finalized Lot 18 and 19 contracts for the F-35’s F135 engines have been delayed six months to early 2026, the Joint Program Office told Air & Space Forces Magazine. It did not elaborate on what’s causing the delay or whether it would affect production of completed F-35 jets. RTX’s Pratt & Whitney unit makes the F135 engine.