One such company is Gamma Aerospace, based in Mansfield. Established in 1971, the firm manufactures components for the F-35 and has supplied parts for other aircraft, including the F-16 and F-22. According to Gamma president Jason Jackson, every F-35 in operation contains products made by the company. Gamma, which employs more than 100 people, became a supplier for Lockheed Martin in 1990, received its first F-35 order in 2004, and contributed parts for the jet’s first flight in 2006.
On Thursday, Gamma hosted an event for business leaders and politicians, where attendees were given a demonstration of the F-35 cockpit. Mr Jackson emphasised the importance of the programme for small businesses, noting that it sustains jobs, fosters innovation and strengthens communities.
The F-35 programme is said by Lockheed Martin to support more than 270,000 jobs nationwide, with an annual economic impact of approximately $72 billion. Each aircraft costs between $80 million and $110 million depending on the variant, and more than 1,000 jets have been delivered to 20 countries, including the United States.
At the event, U.S. Representative Jake Ellzey highlighted both the scale of the F-35’s production and its use in global conflicts. He referred to Israel’s deployment of the aircraft in its conflict with Hamas and its role in recent strikes against Iranian nuclear enrichment sites. While those strikes were reported to have largely destroyed one nuclear site, two others were not as severely damaged.
The F-35 programme, however, has faced sustained criticism. In November, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk described manned fighter jets as “obsolete in the age of drones,” adding that such aircraft “will just get pilots killed.” His remarks followed decades of scrutiny over the cost and efficiency of the project, which has exceeded $2 trillion in government expenditure.
The jet has also been affected by international political developments. Spain cancelled a multibillion-dollar order, while lawmakers in Switzerland have pressed for their government to withdraw from the programme. Portugal abandoned its purchase plans earlier this year, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has considered reversing a $19 billion commitment.
Despite this, Lockheed Martin representatives expressed confidence in the F-35’s continued relevance. Stevie Smith, the company’s director of F-35 Strategic Initiatives, said the programme strengthens U.S. alliances in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, attributing its success to the efforts of suppliers and workers in North Texas.
Source: The Dallas Morning News.
