The Defense Department has awarded F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin its eighth low-rate initial production contract, valued at $4.7 billion for 43 airframes, according to a Nov. 21 press release from the joint program office. The contract includes 29 U.S. jets -- 19 F-35As, six F-35Bs and four F-35Cs. The remaining 14 aircraft will be delivered to international partners: two F-35As to Israel, four to Japan, two to Italy and four F-35Bs to the United Kingdom. “Lockheed Martin will begin...
