Lockheed Gets Nearly $5 Billion in F-35 Contracts

Lockheed Martin won a $4.7 billion contract modification for 78 F-35 combat aircraft, including 48 F-35As for the U.S. Air Force, 14 F-35Bs for the Marine Corps, and 16 F-35Cs for the U.S. Navy, along with “associated red gear,” according to a March 31 contract announcement.

Some 63 percent of the work will be completed in Fort Worth, Texas, with the balance taking place in El Segundo, Calif., Orlando, Fla., Nashua, N.H., Baltimore, San Diego, Warton, United Kingdom, and other locations. Work is slated to be complete in March 2023.

Lockheed also won a second contract, worth $202.8 million, to “develop, sustain, and produce software builds as well as carryout developmental flight tests in support of the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft,” according to the contract announcement. The cost-plus-incentive-fee contract includes “unique sea trials on aircraft carriers for” foreign partners.

The work will largely be completed at Edwards Air Force Base Calif., and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and is expected to be finished in September.

Both contracts were awarded by Naval Air Systems Command.