• About
    • Mission
    • Biographical Information
    • Contact Us
  • Defense
  • Energy
  • Logistics
  • Innovation
  • In the News
  • Follow
  • Like
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
May 29, 2018Loren B. Thompson, Ph.D

← Back
← Previous Post
Next Post →

Lockheed Martin F-35 Fighter Poised To Become One Of America’s Biggest Exports (From Forbes)

May 29, 2018Loren B. Thompson, Ph.D

The tri-service F-35 fighter has completed development and begun deploying overseas.  At least 11 foreign countries will buy it, and if it turns out anything like the F-16 it is replacing, the number of foreign buyers could eventually be twice that number.  Which raises the interesting question of how big a contribution F-35 might eventually make to the U.S. trade balance.  Prime contractor Lockheed Martin figures it will sell around 1,500 of the fighters overseas, which at today’s prices would be worth about $150 billion.  But then there’s life-cycle support, software upgrades, airframe modifications, attrition replacements, new demand stimulated by wars, etc.  In then-year dollars, the export income from F-35 across half a century of service could ultimately approach a trillion dollars.  I have written a commentary for Forbes here.

Print | PDF | EMail

Find Archived Articles:

This entry was posted in Defense. Bookmark the permalink.
Sign Up For
LexNext Emails
1600 Wilson Boulevard - Suite 203
Arlington, VA 22209 USA
Phone: 703.522.5828
Fax: 703.522.5837
© 2023 Lexington Institute

Sign Up for LexNext Emails

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign Up for LexNext Emails

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.