# DoD and Lockheed Propose 10-Year F-35 Framework

On October 22, 2026, the Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin announced a proposed 10-year F-35 production and sustainment framework covering production lots 21–30. The plan targets up to 1,560 aircraft, including at least 850 for U.S. forces, and a production rate of 156 aircraft annually. It is not a final contract or binding order: congressional authorization and appropriations, negotiated pricing and schedules, and service-level allocations remain unresolved. Lockheed Martin separately plans to invest at least $7 billion in F-35-related projects; that is not the government contract value.

- Companies supplying aircraft components, spares, modification kits, and sustainment services may find longer-term planning opportunities if Congress authorizes and funds the framework and the parties finalize terms. The proposed production scale could increase demand for capacity and supply-chain stability.
- Contractors should account for FY2027 defense authorization and appropriations decisions as prerequisites to the proposed commitment, rather than treating the framework as funded demand or a contract award.
- The proposed arrangement contrasts with annual aircraft purchasing; the signals also note that the F-15EX has no equivalent defined multiyear production commitment, despite a broad F-15 IDIQ and proposed FY2027 multiyear authority.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 27, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- United States Congress (Congress)
- F-35 Joint Program Office (F-35 JPO)
- U.S. Air Force (USAF)
- U.S. Navy (USN)

### Vendors
- Lockheed Martin (Proposed prime contractor)
- Northrop Grumman (Supplier)
- BAE Systems (Supplier)
- Boeing (F-15 Eagle Crest IDIQ awardee)

### Key Quotes
> By aligning financial incentives with actual performance, we are ensuring our warfighters are equipped with the lethal capabilities they need to fight and win.
> — Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of Defense

### Sources
- [Lockheed strikes 10-year Pentagon agreement for 850 F-35s](https://www.irishsun.com/news/279392950/lockheed-strikes-10-year-pentagon-agreement-for-850-f-35s) - https://www.irishsun.com/
- [Lockheed Martin F-35: $7 Billion, 1,560 Jets Planned](https://theaviationhub.co.uk/lockheed-martin-f-35-7-billion-framework) - The Aviation Hub
- [Lockheed Martin Backs $7 Billion Investment for the Most Advanced Fighter Jet in the World - Aviation A2Z](https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2026/10/26/lockheed-martin-backs-7-billion-investment-for-f-35) - Aviation A2Z