Lockheed Martin has delivered 45 F-35 Lightning II aircraft this year, meeting the program production goal.

The F-35 Joint Program Office said the fighters delivered in 2015 include 26 F-35A variants for the U.S. Air Force, two F-35As for the Royal Norwegian Air Force, one F-35A for Italy, eight F-35Bs for the U.S. Marine Corps, and 8 F-35C aircraft for the U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps.

"Meeting aircraft production goals is a critical stepping stone in demonstrating the program is ready for the expected significant production ramp up," said Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, F-35 Program Executive Officer. "It took thousands of people around the world to achieve this milestone and they should all be proud of what they accomplished."

Added Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin F-35 Program General Manager: "Delivering the most F-35s in program history is a clear demonstration of our growing maturity and stability. Congratulations to the entire government and industry team for their work to deliver 45 aircraft."

The F-35 Lightning II is to replace F-16 Fighting Falcon and A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 Hornet for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries.

The U.S. Marine Corps gave the aircraft Initial Operational Capability status in July and the U.S. Air Force and Navy expect the same status for their planes in 2016 and 2018, respectively.

A total of 154 F-35s have now been delivered to clients by Lockheed Martin.

Lockheed receiving long-lead acquisition contract for F-35s
Washington (UPI) Dec 22, 2015 - Lockheed Martin is being awarded an advanced acquisition contract from the U.S. military for long-lead materials, parts and components for F-35 aircraft.

The contract is to maintain the planned production of production Lot 11 fighters, the Defense Department said, and is worth nearly $1.2 billion.

The advance acquisition effort includes 80 F-35A aircraft -- 28 for the U.S. Air Force; six for Norway; four each for Turkey the Netherlands and Australia; 10 for Israel; six for Japan; and 10 for the government of South Korea.

Seven F-35B aircraft (six for the U.S. Marine Corps and 1 for Britain are also included as well as four C variant F-35s for the U.S. Navy.

"This contract also includes an undefinitized contract action for production of 2 F-35A aircraft for the U.S. Air Force and F-35C aircraft for the U.S. Navy," the Pentagon said.

"Fiscal 2015 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy), fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps), non-U.S. DoD partner and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $847,929,604 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year," it said.

The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity.