According to a company news release, Lockheed Martin delivered a record 191 F-35 Lightning II jets in 2025, surpassing its previous annual best of 142 and marking a significant production milestone in the global defense industry.

The company states that annual F-35 production is now running at a rate five times faster than any other allied fighter in production, highlighting the program’s scale and maturity. The achievement underscores the aircraft’s central role in modern combat operations and growing international demand.

The year also saw the F-35 program surpass one million flight hours and deliver its most advanced software suite to date with the completion of Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3). Lockheed Martin continued to support a global fleet nearing 1,300 aircraft, according to the news release.

In real-world operations, the F-35 demonstrated its combat capabilities across multiple theaters. The aircraft played a key role in suppressing Iranian air defenses during Operation Midnight Hammer, recorded nearly 5,000 mishap-free flight hours during a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B deployment, and eliminated Russian drones over Poland—the first time NATO F-35s engaged airborne threats in allied airspace.

“I’m immensely proud of the F-35 enterprise for delivering on our production commitments, performing with excellence and growing our global partnerships in 2025,” said Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program. “As our warfighters continue to employ the F-35 to protect the interests of America and our allies around the world, we’re committed to continuing to push the latest technology into the hands of the warfighter to defeat any threat.”

International partners expanded their fleets in 2025, with Italy and Denmark adding 25 and 16 aircraft to their respective programs of record. Other milestones included Finland’s rollout of its first F-35, Belgium receiving its first in-country aircraft, and Norway completing deliveries of its fleet.

In September, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin finalized contracts for Lots 18 and 19, covering up to 296 aircraft for $24 billion—marking the largest production agreement in program history. A separate sustainment contract was also secured to support ongoing global fleet operations.

With nearly 1,300 aircraft in service and 12 nations operating the F-35, Lockheed Martin says the fighter jet remains a cornerstone of global security. The company continues to advance its capabilities to ensure the F-35 stays at the forefront of next-generation defense.

Lockheed Martin and Cobb County

The Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta has been a major employer in Cobb County since 1951, when the Lockheed Corporation, a predecessor of Lockheed Martin, took over the former site of the WWII Bell Bomber plant.

The C-130 program is the largest program operating at the Marietta facility. The plant currently produces the C-130J Super Hercules (see the company’s Fast Facts on the C-130J or the company’s C-30J brochure for more information).

The Marietta plant also provides ongoing support for the C-5 Galaxy, which celebrated its 50^th year in operation in 2018. The C-5 Galaxy is expected to remain in service until 2045.

The Marietta location also supports the P-3 Orion, and manufactures the center wings for the F-35.