F-35 (A/B/C) long-lead material: ~$24.5B — a contract with Lockheed Martin (via the U.S. Navy, USAspending)
The U.S. Navy (the F-35 Joint Program Office) awarded a long-lead-funding contract for F-35 fighters (A, B, and C variants) to Lockheed Martin — covering U.S. services, non-DoD partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. The value is about $24.5 billion ($24,499,786,640).
Contract key facts
- RecipientLockheed Martin
- Contract value$24,546,725,067 (≈$24.55B)
- BranchDefense-wide
- Awarding agencyDepartment of Defense
- Awarding sub-agencyDefense Contract Management Agency
- Award typeDEFINITIVE CONTRACT
- Period of performance2022-12-23 〜 2031-04-30
- Contract ID (PIID)N0001923C0003
The amount cited in the write-up ($24,499,786,640) is the figure at the time of writing. After later modifications the record now shows $24,546,725,067 (the details above are current).
Contract scope (original)
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO AWARD LONG LEAD FUNDING FOR F-35A, F-35B, AND F-35C AIRCRAFT FOR U.S. SERVICES, NON-DOD PARTNERS, AND FMS CUSTOMERS
Key points
- Long-lead material for F-35 A/B/C (U.S. services + partners + FMS)
- Awarded to Lockheed Martin; awarding component is the U.S. Navy (the JPO)
- Value ~$24.5B ($24,499,786,640), definitive contract, Dec 2022–Sep 2030
- A = Air Force / B = Marine Corps / C = Navy = a tri-service international program
- F-35 A, B and C are the conventional, short-takeoff-vertical-landing and carrier variants, all derived from one design.
1F-35 long-lead material
This contract funds long lead-time items for F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C aircraft — for U.S. services, non-DoD partners, and FMS (Foreign Military Sales) customers.
2A joint strike fighter across services
The F-35 is a joint strike fighter operated by the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps; its acquisition is centrally managed by a Joint Program Office (JPO) housed in the Navy.
3The A, B and C variants
The A, B, and C variants are the conventional-takeoff (Air Force), short-takeoff/vertical-landing (Marine Corps), and carrier-based (Navy) versions, respectively. This award funds long-lead material ahead of airframe production, reflecting the scale of an international, multi-service program.
4Three variants from one design
The F-35 began as the joint strike fighter operated by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, with procurement managed centrally by the Joint Program Office placed within the Navy. The three variants derive from one design by changing how the aircraft takes off and lands.
| Variant | Service | Takeoff and landing |
|---|---|---|
| F-35A | Air Force | Conventional takeoff and landing |
| F-35B | Marine Corps | Short takeoff and vertical landing |
| F-35C | Navy | Carrier-based |
This contract secures long-lead funding for all three variants at once, covering US forces, non-DoD partner nations and Foreign Military Sales customers. That the securing of parts ahead of airframe production spans variants and customers within a single contract is itself a measure of the programme's scale.
Why it matters
A read on one of the largest defense-aviation programs in the world and the structure of international procurement (partners and FMS). Useful for aerospace/defense supply chains and security watchers.
FAQ
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Sources (primary)
This article is an independent organization based on the U.S. official spending data below. Verify the exact, latest details with the official source.
- USAspending (award details)
- Contract ID (PIID)：N0001923C0003