An F-35 Lightning II under assembly at the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas. The Department of Defense has awarded Lockheed Martin $1 billion in new contracts, mostly concerning the F-35. (Courtesy of Defense Contract Management Agency)

Lockheed Martin Awarded $1 Billion in New Contracts

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The lion’s share of the aerospace giant’s newest contract was devoted to F-35 fighter jet upgrades, to be performed at its facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

Aerospace and defense giant Lockheed Martin won more than $1 billion in new contracts from the Pentagon in May, including $879 million to support the F-35 Lightning II program. The fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter, which is produced in three unique variants for the United States military and its partners, is already among the most expensive defense programs in history. Current estimates are that it will exceed more than $1 trillion throughout its service life, which could extend into the 2070s or later.

The new contracts are just a small but continuing part of the money being directed at the F-35.

“This order provides for the production and delivery of Lot 18-19 aircraft armament equipment which includes various missile launchers, bomb racks, gun systems, pylons, and adapters in support of ensuring the functionality and readiness of various armaments to support F-35 aircraft delivery........

© The National Interest