Lockheed in "very active" talks with DoD to add sixth‑generation 'Ferrari' tech to the F‑35

Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet says the company is in "very active" talks with the Department of Defense to incorporate sixth‑generation "Ferrari" technologies into the F‑35, a follow‑up to his April pitch for a high‑performance F‑35 variant after losing the Air Force's NGAD contract to Boeing.

Discovered 2025-09-11T13:42:18.531474-07:00 | 2025-09-11T13:42:18.531474-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • This initiative follows Lockheed's recent financial strain — the company reported a $1.8 billion Q2 net loss driven by $950 million in overruns — and is a commercial/technical bid to bridge capability gaps while next‑gen programs mature: https://hype.aero/?story=56daa6af-27f5-4824-a456-3899a053477b

  • The talks occur against confirmed program setbacks: the F-35 Block 4 modernization is delayed to 2031 with cost overruns and delivery shortfalls, increasing incentive to retrofit existing fleets with advanced tech: https://hype.aero/?story=7ea05bd4-9979-44e6-9c8e-c835eba6969e

  • Lockheed's push comes as global demand for F-35s remains strong and the company expects US purchase increases, meaning any upgrade path could have wide export and sustainment implications: https://hype.aero/?story=b153e3d1-88fe-489d-8cd2-0b7ee2ff197e

Reported By

nationalsecurityjournal.org Aviation A2Z energy-reporters.com militarywatchmagazine.com defence-industry.eu news.ssbcrack.com
Sources Tracked
15
First Seen
2025-09-11T13:42:18.531474-07:00
Latest Update
2025-09-15T06:18:27.832704-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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