Lockheed’s F-35 SURGE: Unbelievable 2025 Record!

A formation of military jet fighters flying in a clear blue sky

Lockheed Martin’s record-breaking delivery of 191 F-35s in 2025 signals a major victory in overcoming past bureaucratic hurdles.

Story Highlights

Lockheed Martin delivered a record 191 F-35 jets in 2025, surpassing previous records.
The delivery surge came after overcoming delays from the TR-3 software upgrade issues.
F-35 Joint Program Office resumed deliveries with a truncated TR-3 version.
The program’s recovery highlights its strength and importance to national defense.

Lockheed Martin’s Record-Breaking Year

Lockheed Martin announced that it delivered 191 F-35 Lightning II fighters in 2025, setting a new record after clearing a significant backlog caused by the TR-3 software upgrade issues. This achievement marks a substantial rebound from delivery halts imposed by the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) in July 2023, which paused deliveries due to incomplete testing of the new technology.

The halted deliveries resulted in Lockheed storing over 100 completed jets, awaiting clearance. By spring 2024, the Pentagon projected an ambitious plan to deliver 20 jets per month to address the backlog. This targeted approach helped Lockheed clear the backlog without resorting to mothballing the jets, ensuring that the aircraft remained ready for operational use. The company maintained its production capacity at 156 jets per year, allowing it to meet both new production and backlog requirements effectively.

The Impact of TR-3 Software Issues

The TR-3 upgrade, which involved advanced software and displays, was a necessary step for the F-35 program to remain at the forefront of technological advancements. However, the year-long delivery halt from July 2023 to July 2024 showcased the challenges of integrating such complex upgrades. Despite these hurdles, Lockheed’s ability to resume deliveries with a truncated version of TR-3 for training purposes illustrates the program’s resilience and commitment to ensuring the aircraft’s readiness for future combat operations.

This strategic recovery not only cleared the backlog but also reinforced the program’s stability, leading to a $24.3 billion contract for 296 jets in Lots 18-19. This contract underscores the global demand and trust in the F-35’s capabilities, with the global fleet expanding to over 1,300 aircraft by the end of 2025. These developments highlight the F-35’s transition from a developmental project to the backbone of allied combat aircraft.

Future Implications and Strategic Importance

The record-breaking deliveries have significant implications for the U.S. and its allies. In the short term, the restored delivery cadence and revenue from substantial contracts provide a much-needed economic boost. In the long term, the F-35 program’s continued success reaffirms its role as a core component of allied air power, enhancing deterrence capabilities through its scale and maturity.

Lockheed’s achievement also has broader industry effects, setting a production pace five times faster than other allied fighter programs. This not only shifts airpower dynamics but also pressures competitors to keep pace with the F-35’s multirole stealth capabilities, despite previous developmental challenges.