Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office have sealed an agreement for the production and delivery of up to 296 F-35 Lightning II aircraft as part of Lots 18 and 19.
The new batch, slated for delivery starting in 2026, will supply the US armed forces, partner nations, and foreign military sales customers. Once completed, these lots will enhance the global F-35 fleet, now in operation across more than a dozen countries, including Germany, Denmark, and Poland.
F-35 Variants
The F-35 Lightning II is a next-generation stealth multirole fighter developed in three versions:
F-35A: The standard variant for conventional takeoff and landing, extensively employed by the US Air Force and allied nations.
F-35B: Incorporating short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, it can operate from limited runways or amphibious assault ships and is fielded by the US Marine Corps, the UK, and Italy.
F-35C: Tailored for carrier operations, featuring catapult and arresting systems, it is exclusively deployed by the US Navy.
Performance and Design
Driven by a Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engine delivering up to 43,000 pounds (19,500 kilograms) of thrust, the F-35 stands 14 feet (4.3 meters) tall, spans 35 feet (10.7 meters), and measures 51 feet (15.7 meters) in length.
With a maximum takeoff weight of 70,000 pounds (31,750 kilograms), the fighter carries 18,498 pounds (8,390 kilograms) of internal fuel and supports a payload of up to 18,000 pounds (8,160 kilograms). It achieves speeds up to Mach 1.6 (1,200 miles/1,930 kilometers per hour) and covers over 1,350 miles (2,175 kilometers) on internal fuel, extendable via aerial refueling.
Designed for single-pilot missions, the F-35 can carry its weapons internally for stealth or externally for expanded payloads, adapting to a wide range of combat and support missions.
