Fighter jet production in Fort Worth could be secured through the next decade following a landmark 10-year framework agreement between the Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin for at least 850 F-35 Lightning II aircraft.<\/p>\n
The deal covers production Lots 21 through 30 and maintains an annual output of 156 stealth fighters for both U.S. forces and international allies, as reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine. The primary assembly line for the fifth-generation jet is located at Lockheed Martin\u2019s plant in Fort Worth, where final manufacturing and integration take place.<\/p>\n
While the agreement establishes long-term guidelines for hardware procurement, initial spare parts, modernization kits, and fleet sustainment, it remains subject to congressional authorization and appropriations before becoming a binding formal contract. Both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees have drafted provisions in defense legislation to permit multiyear contracting, though lawmakers must still finalize the funding details.<\/p>\n
We signed a new agreement with the DOW to build a multiyear contract for the F-35, designed to reinforce our longstanding partnership and save billions in taxpayer dollars. https:\/\/t.co\/cK1Sdo2PjY<\/p>\n
\u2014 Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) October 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n In exchange for the long-term commitment, Lockheed Martin agreed to self-fund at least $7 billion in company initiatives supporting the F-35 program. Defense officials stated that the multiyear structure aims to stabilize the defense industrial base and eliminate annual contracting delays that have previously strained supply chains.<\/p>\n According to military figures, Lockheed Martin has fielded more than 1,375 F-35s worldwide. Defense industry analysts estimate that the overall program supports roughly 317,000 jobs nationally, serving as a major economic driver for the North Texas defense workforce.<\/p>\n LISTEN<\/a> on the Audacy App
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