Aircraft
New Pressure on Lockheed Martin To Reduce F-35 Unit Cost
The incoming US President has slammed the program, but LM says a new deal is close already.
The second developmental test F-35C inflight. The new US President wants big cost savings in the Lightning II program. (Lockheed Martin)
The second developmental test F-35C inflight. The new US President wants big cost savings in the Lightning II program. (Lockheed Martin)

The nature and extent of future F-35 fighter procurement is one of the many future policy unknowns in the U.S., as the new administration takes over on January 20. Two of incoming President Trump’s many tweets have criticized the program on cost grounds, evoking a pained response from manufacturer Lockheed Martin (LM). Trump has also suggested that the U.S. Navy should buy more F/A-18 Super Hornets from Boeing instead. But that is already happening, thanks to continuing Congressional plus-up additions to the U.S. defense procurement budget.