Secretary of War Visits Lockheed Martin F-35 Production Facility

Core Insights - Lockheed Martin plays a crucial role in accelerating acquisition transformation and delivering essential capabilities to the warfighter, as highlighted by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's visit to the F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, Texas [1][5] Group 1: F-35 Production and Workforce - The F-35 assembly line was showcased during the tour, with Secretary Hegseth addressing over 600 employees out of the 19,000 at the Fort Worth facility [2] - In 2025, the Fort Worth plant achieved a record production of 191 fighter jets, demonstrating the workforce's dedication and efficiency [5] - The F-35 supply chain includes over 1,900 suppliers across the U.S., with more than half being small businesses, reflecting the strength of American manufacturing [3] Group 2: F-35 Capabilities and Global Operations - The F-35 is recognized as the most advanced multi-mission fighter jet globally, contributing to air superiority and military engagements [4] - Currently, more than 1,290 F-35s are operational worldwide, with the fleet surpassing 1 million flight hours in 2025 [6] - The F-35 operates from 50 bases globally, with 11 nations utilizing the aircraft on home soil, ensuring air dominance for the future [6] Group 3: Strategic Partnerships and Agreements - Lockheed Martin announced a landmark framework agreement with the U.S. Department of War to accelerate the production and delivery of PAC-3® Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors, marking a significant step in the Acquisition Transformation Strategy [5]