Lockheed Martin to Prepare Service Infrastructure for Over 3000 F-35 Stealth Jets

Lockheed Martin to Prepare Service Infrastructure for Over 3000 F-35 Stealth Jets

The US F-35 Jet sustainment office awarded a $1.9 billion contract to service 490 jets already delivered and prepare the infrastructure for an eventual deployment of 3,000 aircraft, Lockheed Martin announced in a press release.

"The annual contract funds critical sustainment activities for aircraft currently in the fleet and builds enterprise capacity to support the future fleet of more than 3,000 F-35 aircraft", the release said on Monday. "This includes industry sustainment experts supporting base and depot maintenance, pilot and maintainer training, and sustaining engineering across the globe".

More than 490 aircraft, including 134 in 2019, have been delivered and are operating from 21 bases around the globe, with more than 975 pilots and 8,585 maintainers trained, the release said.

The F-35 has been steadily delivered to US Forces and allies around the world and as price fall, more allies and partners would be welcomed into the F-5 customer base.

Lockheed Martin's sustainment cost per aircraft per year has decreased four consecutive years, and more than 35% since 2015. The F-35 Cost Per Flight Hour to $25,000 by 2025, which is equal to or less than the cost to sustain legacy, less capable aircraft.