At the company’s third-quarter earnings call, CEO Jim Taiclet stated Lockheed is on track to “manufacture one plane for every working day of the year.” The firm confirmed it had already delivered 143 jets by the end of Q3, surpassing its previous annual record of 142 set in 2022.
If the target is met, Lockheed Martin could achieve its strongest F-35 delivery year of the decade, marking a 64% increase compared to 2023. The production surge reflects heightened global defence spending and growing demand for advanced fighter aircraft.
Supporters of the F-35 programme describe it as the largest and most advanced fighter project in history, with more than 1,200 jets currently in service worldwide. Built mainly in Fort Worth, Texas, the aircraft is available in three variants suited to different branches of the military and allied forces.
Used by air forces from the U.S. Navy to Finland, the F-35 has become a key asset among U.S. partners. Its deployment is seen as a symbol of collective strength, with “deterrence” cited as the core purpose of the programme.
