Lockheed Martin delivered the 134th F-35 aircraft at the end of 2019, exceeding the joint government and industry delivery goal of 131 aircraft.

The firm say that 0ne hundred and thirty-four deliveries represent a 47% increase from 2018 and nearly a 200 percent production increase from 2016. Next year, Lockheed Martin plans to deliver 141 F-35s and is prepared to increase production volume year-over-year to hit peak production in 2023.

Image via Lockheed Martin

“This achievement is a testament to the readiness of the full F-35 enterprise to ramp to full-rate production and we continue to focus on improving on-time deliveries across the entire weapons system,” said Greg Ulmer, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of the F-35 programme.

“We have met our annual delivery targets three years in a row and continue to increase production rates, improve efficiencies and reduce costs. The F-35 is the most capable fighter jet in the world, and we’re now delivering the 5th Generation weapon system at a cost equal to or lower than a less capable 4th Generation legacy aircraft.”

The 134th aircraft is a Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing model for the United States Marine Corps. In 2019, deliveries included 81 F-35s for the United States, 30 for international partner nations and 23 for Foreign Military Sales customers.

According to a press release:

“Today, 975 pilots and 8,585 maintainers are trained, and the F-35 fleet has surpassed more than 240,000 cumulative flight hours. Eight nations have F-35s operating from a base on their home soil, eight services have declared Initial Operating Capability and four services have employed F-35s in combat operations.

In addition to strengthening global security and partnerships, the F-35 provides economic stability to the U.S. and international partners by creating jobs, commerce and security, and contributing to the global trade balance. Thousands of men and women in the U.S. and around the world build the F-35. With more than 1,400 suppliers in 47 states and Puerto Rico, the F-35 Program supports more than 220,000 jobs.”

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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expat
expat
4 years ago

And European production lines produced how many fighters? We’re producing under half that number of three different types across Europe. You can see why BAe is not worried financially about loosing Typhoon production as 134 or more aft fuselages will make up for it. Ultimately the UK government will need to pay for any loss of skills when UK assembly of the Typhoon ends and Tempest production starts which could be up to 10 years.

Watcherzero
Watcherzero
4 years ago
Reply to  expat

One quick win, replacement aircraft for the Red Arrows Hawk T1 which will be over 50 years old by the time the Government plans to replace them between 2027 and 2030.

Meirion X
Meirion X
4 years ago

What about the 34 F-16s that the USA has supplied Iraq over the last few years?
The Iraqi Gov., with some ministers are Iran supporters, want to kick out the US, I think it is only right that US should reclaim those F-16s, just in case they fall into the Wrong hands.
Just like the US supplied Iran Pre-1979 with F-14s, a big mistake Not to have reclaimed them as well!

Rob
Rob
4 years ago
Reply to  Meirion X

How do you know the F35’s and other modern jets don’t have a secret ”
kill switch…..?”

Meirion X
Meirion X
4 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Lets hope so!
I wonder if it will be the case with F-16s, I’m aware they had a number of upgrades over the years since mid 70’s?