Defense Department ask for 115 F-35 jets in lot 18 order

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) intends to solicit and negotiate multiple contract actions with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas, for the development of additional F-35 Lightning II jets in their lot 18 order.

The proposed contract actions will provide for a total of 115 aircraft in lot 18 (75 F-35As, 25 F-35Bs and 15 F-35Cs).

The Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland announced the lot 18 contract on Tuesday in a presolicitation document.

“This notice is not a commitment by the government to issue a solicitation or make an award (or awards),” the Navy said in the presolicitation. “The data associated with the F-35 JPO is export controlled and is not available to foreign sources or representatives.”

According to POLITICO, the Pentagon temporarily halted delivery of F-35 fighter jets to the military recently after Lockheed Martin discovered a metal component used in the jet's engine had come from China.

The Defense Contract Management Agency notified the F-35 Joint Program Office at the Pentagon on Aug. 19 that an alloy used in magnets contained in the F-35’s turbomachine pumps came from China, according to the POLITICO article. An alternative source for the alloy was found and will be used in future turbomachines.