Who Owns F-35 Lightning II?

The F-35 program operates within Lockheed Martin's corporate sustainability framework.

Environmental Management: Lockheed Martin has established sustainability goals including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and waste generation. The company's Target Zero program guides environmental performance across manufacturing facilities, including the Fort Worth F-35 production center.

Advanced Manufacturing: The F-35 incorporates advanced materials and production methods designed to improve efficiency and reduce waste. The program's manufacturing facilities operate under strict environmental standards with energy-efficient processes.

Supply Chain Ethics: The F-35 program's supply chain of more than 1,900 companies is subject to Lockheed Martin's ethical standards and compliance requirements. The company enforces responsible business practices and adherence to international regulations across its supplier base.

Workforce Development: The F-35 program supports high-tech manufacturing jobs and workforce development initiatives across the United States and allied nations. The program contributes to STEM education and advanced manufacturing capability development in participating countries.

Long-Term Sustainment: With an expected 77-year life cycle, the F-35 program incorporates sustainability considerations into long-term planning, including modernization pathways that extend aircraft capabilities. The Air Vehicle Sustainment Contract awarded in 2025 supports annualized sustainment activities across the F-35 enterprise.

Record Deliveries: In 2025, the F-35 program delivered 191 aircraft, the highest yearly total in the program's history, surpassing the previous record of 142 set in 2021. Annual production is now running five times faster than any other allied fighter currently in production.

One Million Flight Hours: The F-35 program surpassed one million cumulative flight hours in 2025, demonstrating operational reliability and performance across the global fleet of nearly 1,300 aircraft.

Combat Performance: The F-35 participated in Operation Midnight Hammer in 2025, a joint campaign involving the suppression of Iranian integrated air defenses. The aircraft's ability to penetrate advanced radar environments and conduct precision strikes validated its combat capabilities. NATO F-35s also achieved the first known instance of fifth-generation fighters engaging drones in NATO airspace over Poland.

Largest Production Contract: In September 2025, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin finalized Lots 18-19 for up to 296 F-35s worth $24.3 billion, the largest production contract in program history.

International Expansion: The F-35 program expanded its international coalition in 2025 with Denmark adding 16 aircraft, Belgium announcing 11 additional F-35s, Italy adding 25 aircraft, Finland debuting its first F-35A, and Norway completing its planned fleet.

Block 4 Modernization Delays: The F-35's Block 4 modernization effort, involving over 75 enhancements to weapons, sensors, electronic warfare, and networking, has faced substantial challenges. According to a 2025 GAO report, Block 4 program costs exceeded original estimates by more than $6 billion, and the completion date is five years later than originally anticipated. The Pentagon has reduced the scope of modernization plans amid ongoing cost overruns.

TR-3 Delays and Delivery Halt: Technology Refresh 3 suffered numerous delays, leading the Defense Department to stop accepting F-35 deliveries from July 2023 to July 2024. During the halt, Lockheed stored dozens of completed jets at its Fort Worth facility. The backlog was cleared by May 2025, and the final TR-3 software update was delivered in June 2025. The delayed deliveries had ripple effects on Air Force and other service operational readiness.

Chronic Delivery Delays: In 2024, Lockheed delivered 110 F-35s, all late by an average of 238 days, up from 61 days in 2023. Pratt & Whitney delivered all 123 engines late in 2024 due to supply chain issues. Despite these delays, the F-35 program office continued to compensate Lockheed Martin with hundreds of millions in performance incentive fees.

Contractor Incentive Controversy: The GAO reported that despite late deliveries, the F-35 program office continued paying Lockheed Martin performance incentive fees while the percentage of aircraft delivered late and the average days late grew. This practice drew criticism from government watchdog organizations.

Total Program Cost: The total cost to maintain and sustain the F-35 fleet through its 77-year life cycle is estimated at least $1.58 trillion, increasing the total program cost to more than $2 trillion. These escalating costs have raised concerns among policymakers about long-term affordability.

GAO Recommendations: The GAO made six recommendations to the F-35 program office, including evaluating Lockheed Martin's production capacity, reevaluating contractor incentive fees, and expanding the use of leading practices for product development in Block 4 and related subprograms.