A report has revealed that the Pentagon is seeking to reduce planned deliveries of new F-35 stealth fighters, affecting orders intended for both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force. With attention shifting to the development of new programs—such as the future sixth-generation Boeing F-47 fighter—and the associated costs, the Department of Defense appears to be aiming to slow down F-35 deliveries. It should be noted that this measure still requires review, debate, and approval by the U.S. Congress.
Currently one of the most advanced fighters in the U.S. arsenal, a series of documents indicate that the Pentagon is proposing that by 2026, the U.S. Air Force receive only 24 aircraft, down from the previously agreed 48. Meanwhile, the Navy’s allocation would be cut from 17 to 12, and the Marine Corps would see a reduction of two units, though it remains unclear whether this would affect F-35Bs, F-35Cs, or a mix of both. The Air Force now plans to secure $3.5 billion in funding for the F-35 and an additional $531 million for advance procurement of materials, according to the report.
Given that the U.S. Air Force is currently developing the next-generation Boeing F-47 fighter, the DoD appears focused on safeguarding investment in this and other programs, including associated systems for collaborative combat aircraft. While the measure still awaits congressional approval, it is not yet clear whether Congress will reject the proposal or adjust the DoD’s budget to maintain current delivery volumes.
This aligns with the high costs and delays already experienced by the fifth-generation stealth fighter program—both in its initial rollout and pending upgrades, which have drawn increasing criticism. The delay of the TR-3 software upgrade alone caused a global backlog, leading to an unprecedented buildup of undelivered jets at Lockheed Martin’s facilities. In 2024, the defense contractor delivered a total of 110 F-35s to the U.S. and its allies.
Analysts point out that by postponing F-35 acquisitions, the Department could benefit from future system enhancements. For its part, Lockheed Martin has proposed a technological upgrade dubbed the “Supercharged F-35,” which leverages advances developed under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. CEO Jim Taiclet stated that he expects this version to deliver 80% of the F-47’s capabilities at only 50% of the cost.
However, other Air Force acquisition programs would see substantial increases if the proposal is approved. The base budget includes $2.6 billion for the B-21 stealth bomber program, with an additional $2.1 billion allocated in the reconciliation bill, plus another $862 million for “advance procurement” of the bomber. The base budget would also fund the purchase of 15 of the problematic KC-46 tanker aircraft and 14 T-7 training jets.
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