Musk · Fortune Technology
U.S. Air Force, Navy plan to boost F-35 fleet after record budget
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The Air Force and Navy proposed stepping up purchases of of Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35 fighter jet over the next five years, a show of confidence for a plane that Elon Musk and other critics argue is becoming obsolete.
Key facts
- Planned purchases of the Air Force model would increase from 38 jets next year to 42 in fiscal 2028, 46 in 2029 and 48 in both 2030 and 2031, according to projections released Friday
- The planned F-35 purchases would be good news for Lockheed, the No. 1 US defense contractor, with the total number of F-35s requested up to 85 jets from the 47 Congress approved for this year
- They’re part of the administration’s request to Congress to increase the defense budget by more than 40% to $1.5 trillion
- Navy and Marine Corps purchases would see an increase to 47 jets next year from this year’s 23
Summary
Planned purchases of the Air Force model would increase from 38 jets next year to 42 in fiscal 2028, 46 in 2029 and 48 in both 2030 and 2031, according to projections released Friday. Navy and Marine Corps purchases would see an increase to 47 jets next year from this year’s 23. The increased quantities are no sure thing. But the forecasts are a vote of confidence for the warplane, which has flown missions over Iran during the US-Israel campaign in recent weeks.