# DoW Sets F-35 Production Framework

On October 22, 2026, the Department of War and Lockheed Martin announced a 10-year F-35 production and sustainment framework covering 850 U.S. aircraft and international orders across Lots 21–30, with planned output of 156 aircraft annually. The announcement is an initial framework, not a formal contract award or order: final pricing, terms, and schedules depend on multiyear procurement authority and associated appropriations. Lockheed Martin’s reported investment initiatives are not the value of a government contract.

- Suppliers supporting aircraft production, spares, modification kits, and sustainment can use the proposed scale and production rate to assess potential capacity and supply-chain needs, while treating demand as conditional until authority, appropriations, and final contract terms are in place.
- The F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin are expected to finalize pricing, terms, and schedules only after multiyear authority is available; contractors should not treat the framework as a funded order or guaranteed award.
- Lockheed Martin reported at least $7 billion in self-funded program initiatives, but that figure is not the contract value. Procurement and business planning should distinguish company-reported investment from government-funded commitments.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 22, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of War (DoW)
- F-35 Joint Program Office (F-35 JPO)
- Congress

### Vendors
- Lockheed Martin (Framework participant and prospective prime contractor)

### Key Quotes
> Our new multiyear framework gives suppliers stability to plan for the future and invest with confidence, improving readiness across the F-35 fleet.
> — OJ Sanchez, President of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

> We have fundamentally changed how we stabilize the American defense industrial base to produce at speed and scale.
> — Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of Defense

### Sources
- [Lockheed Martin F-35 framework: 850 U.S. jets, 10 years | LMT Stock News](https://www.stocktitan.net/news/LMT/new-framework-agreement-for-multiyear-f-35-production-and-8d4kclxw1jg6.html) - Stock Titan
- [Lockheed, Pentagon strike initial deal to produce 850 F-35 jets](https://english.alarabiya.net/News/united-states/2026/10/22/lockheed-pentagon-strike-initial-deal-to-produce-850-f35-jets) - Al Arabiya English