Who Owns F-35 Lightning II?
The F-35 Lightning II is developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin, a publicly traded American defense contractor headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft program involving multiple countries and represents one of the most advanced military aircraft systems. Lockheed Martin trades on NYSE under ticker LMT.
Parent Company
Lockheed Martin
Founded
1996
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Who Owns F-35 Lightning II?
- Parent Company: Lockheed Martin
- Ownership Type: Government contract
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: LMT
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| F-35 Lightning II | Lockheed Martin | Government contract |
History of F-35 Lightning II
- Founded: 1996
- Founders: Lockheed Martin (development), U.S. Department of Defense
The F-35 Lightning II program began in 1996 as a joint international development effort to create a next-generation fighter aircraft for the United States and allied nations. The program was designed to replace multiple legacy fighter aircraft across participating countries.
Lockheed Martin was selected as the primary contractor for the F-35 program, leading development of the aircraft's advanced stealth technology, sensor fusion systems, and combat capabilities. The program involved collaboration with major subcontractors including Northrop Grumman and Pratt & Whitney.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, the F-35 program progressed through development, testing, and initial production phases. The aircraft achieved initial operational capability with the U.S. Marine Corps in 2015 and has continued to expand operational deployment across the U.S. military and allied nations.
The F-35 program has become one of the largest and most complex military aircraft programs in history, with production continuing to meet international demand from allied nations. The program represents a significant technological achievement in military aviation.
About Lockheed Martin
What does Lockheed Martin make?
Lockheed Martin produces military aircraft (F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, C-130 Hercules), missiles and fire control systems (PAC-3 Patriot, HIMARS, JASSM, Javelin), helicopters (Black Hawk, CH-53K through Sikorsky), and space systems (GPS III satellites, missile defense, Orion spacecraft). The company serves the US Department of Defense and international military customers in more than 100 countries.
Is Lockheed Martin publicly traded?
Yes, Lockheed Martin Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker LMT. The company has a broad institutional and retail shareholder base with no single controlling shareholder. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street.
Who founded Lockheed Martin?
Lockheed Martin was formed in March 1995 through the merger of Lockheed Corporation (founded 1912 by the Loughead brothers) and Martin Marietta (formed 1961). Both companies had roots in early aviation and became major US defense contractors during World War II and the Cold War.
Where is Lockheed Martin headquartered?
Lockheed Martin is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. The company's primary manufacturing facilities are in Fort Worth, Texas (F-35 production), Marietta, Georgia (C-130 and F-22), Owego, New York (helicopters), and Sunnyvale, California (space systems).
How many employees does Lockheed Martin have?
Lockheed Martin employs approximately 122,000 people worldwide. The company's workforce is concentrated in the United States, with significant operations in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Germany. Lockheed Martin is one of the largest employers in the US defense industry.
Who owns Lockheed Martin?
Lockheed Martin Corporation is publicly traded on the NYSE with a broad institutional and retail shareholder base. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. James Taiclet serves as Chairman, President, and CEO.
- Founded: 1995
- Headquarters: Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: LMT
Where Is F-35 Lightning II Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, International partners
Brands Owned by Lockheed Martin
- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics - Leading designer and manufacturer of advanced military aircraft including the F-...
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Leading manufacturer of advanced missiles, fire control systems, and directed en...
- Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems - Leading provider of radar systems, rotorcraft, and advanced mission systems for ...
- Lockheed Martin Space - Leading provider of satellites, launch vehicles, and space exploration systems f...
F-35 Lightning II Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Advanced fifth-generation stealth technology
- +Sensor fusion and network-centric warfare capabilities
- +International collaboration and burden-sharing
- +Interoperability across allied nations
- +Advanced avionics and combat systems
- +Long-term sustainment and upgrade potential
- +Proven operational capability
Considerations
- -Extremely high development and production costs
- -Complex program management across multiple nations
- -Lengthy development timeline and schedule delays
- -Operational challenges and learning curve
- -Dependency on advanced supply chains
- -Geopolitical considerations with international partners
- -Cybersecurity and technology protection concerns
- -Maintenance and sustainment complexity
Frequently Asked Questions About F-35 Lightning II
Competitors to F-35 Lightning II
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing | USA | 1997 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Rtx Corporation | USA | 2018 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Rtx Corporation | USA | 1925 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Boeing | USA | 1958 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Ge Aerospace | USA | 1917 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| General Dynamics | USA | 1990 | Mass Market | North America | Male |
Learn More About Competitors
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Owned by Boeing
Leading provider of military aircraft, rotorcraft, missiles, and space systems for government and military customers worldwide.
Collins Aerospace
Owned by RTX Corporation
Leading provider of aerospace systems, avionics, interiors, and mission systems for commercial and military aircraft worldwide.
Pratt & Whitney
Owned by RTX Corporation
Leading manufacturer of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for commercial, military, business, and general aviation applications.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Owned by Boeing
Leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners including the 737, 767, 777, and 787 families serving airlines worldwide.
GE Aerospace
Owned by Unknown Company
Independent publicly traded aerospace company that became GE Aerospace on April 2, 2024, when General Electric completed its three-way breakup, retaining the jet engine and aerospace systems business as the standalone GE entity.
General Dynamics Combat Systems
Owned by General Dynamics
Leading manufacturer of armored vehicles, tanks, and weapons systems for military and government customers worldwide.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: F-35 Lightning II competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Lockheed Martin Stock Information
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