As F-35 readiness lags, Pentagon seeks $13.7 billion boost: GAO
The F-35’s full mission capable rate fell to to 25 percent in FY25, the government watchdog found.
Pentagon awards Pratt & Whitney $6.6 billion for F-35 engines
A contract award covers engines for two upcoming batches of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter production.
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EXCLUSIVE: US poised to accept new F-35s without radars, sources say
Rep. Rob Wittman told Breaking Defense that while he expected issues with the new APG-85 radar to eventually be resolved, in the interim the US military will be left with “lots of aircraft out there, but not ones that are ready to go to the fight.”
Lockheed boasts record 191 F-35 deliveries in 2025
The delivery total greatly exceeds a previous record of 142, boosted by a backlog of undelivered jets that had to be held in storage.
Lockheed, Pentagon finalize deal for 296 F-35s
The $24.3 billion deal covers 148 aircraft each in production lots 18 and 19, closing out negotiations that have stretched since 2023.
F-35 Lot 18 ‘price increase’ due to inflation, rising raw material cost: Pentagon
The rising costs have led to a row between Switzerland and the US, as Bern faces a $610 million increase for its order of 36 F-35As, a defense official told Breaking Defense.
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US Navy F-35C crashes in California, pilot ejects safely
The carrier-capable F-35C crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California Wednesday evening, according to a US Navy spokesperson.
Lockheed eyes two-year timeline to pick new F-35 cooling system
The company is examining “all offers that’re out on the market today to make that decision, so it’s not going to be a quick choice,” Lockheed’s F-35 program manager Chauncey McIntosh told Breaking Defense.
F-35A crashes in Alaska, pilot ejects safely
The jet was participating in a training event and crashed while coming in for landing at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska, according to Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing.
Lockheed, Pentagon reach handshake deal for next 2 F-35 production lots
The so-called “handshake deal” precedes a formal contract finalization, which Lockheed expects will occur before the end of 2024.
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Army awards Raytheon $2 billion to begin LTAMDS production
The production deal comes nearly five years after the service first tapped the company to develop the Patriot replacement radars.
Pentagon still withholding F-35 payments to Lockheed over upgrade delays
“Since not everything that we contracted for has been delivered, payment is also not complete. We will not pay for that which we have not yet received,” said Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter.
Pratt F-35 engine upgrade clears preliminary design review
The Engine Core Upgrade program is “on track” to field “as early as 2029,” according to Pratt & Whitney.
F-35 deliveries to resume next week, despite incomplete upgrade
A “truncated” version of Technology Refresh 3 software has enabled the Pentagon to resume deliveries, though a second software patch that would make the jets fully combat capable isn’t expected for at least another year.