Pentagon Sets F-35 Order Ceiling At 780 Between 2026-2030

Lockheed Martin could build 780 F-35s over a five-year ordering period between fiscal 2026 and 2030, the Joint Program Office (JPO) says in a new acquisition document.

A sole-source notice published on Aug. 2 reveals that the program is keeping the door open for Lockheed to deliver F-35s at a maximum production rate of 156 per year between lots 20 to 24. Aircraft ordered in each lot are intended to be delivered within two to three years after the orders are signed. 

A JPO spokesman clarified that the annual production rates and the five-year total represent a potential ceiling for orders, rather than a guaranteed amount.

“The contract will be structured to allow aircraft procurement to be up to 156 aircraft annually,” JPO spokesman Russell Goemaere said. 

The program plans to reach a maximum rate of 156 F-35 deliveries in 2025 and remain at that level for the next several years, depending on demand from the U.S. and international buyers. 

Lockheed delivered a record total of 142 F-35s for the program in 2021 but has struggled to keep up with orders since. The company delivered 141 of the stealth fighters in 2022, despite setting a goal of 148-153. A crash of an F-35B on a check flight in Fort Worth in mid-December grounded flight operations for several weeks.

This year, Lockheed hoped to deliver as many as 153 F-35s, but delayed software testing of the Technology Refresh-3 upgrade is likely to postpone deliveries of dozens of aircraft. Lockheed instead could deliver only 100-120 F-35s in 2023 as a result. 

Although the delivery pace could take a sharp dive, Lockheed’s production system will continue building new F-35s at the same rate. The deliveries, however, will be deferred until the new software is certified.

As of Aug. 1, Lockheed has delivered more than 960 F-35s to nine countries through the first 14 yearly lots of production. 

To reach the maximum delivery totals of 780 jets over Lots 20-24, the JPO and Lockheed will need to reverse a declining trend for orders over the next three years.

Another 398 F-35s are expected to be ordered in lots 15-17, including 145 in the first year, 127 in the second year and 126 in the third. A placeholder contract for 118 jets in Lot 18 also has been awarded to Lockheed, although quantities can change as the order is finalized.