The Defense Department’s lead acquisition official believes the agency could increase the Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft production rates starting in fiscal year 2015, Flightglobal reported Friday.
Dave Majumdar writes such a plan would have the Pentagon purchase 42 aircraft in 2015, 62 in 2016, 76 in 2017 and 100 in 2018.
Frank Kendall, defense undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, told FlightGlobal said the Pentagon’s order to raise the F-35 production rate would be reflected in President Barack Obama’s fiscal year 2015 budget proposal.
Lockheed currently builds 29 fighter jets every year for the U.S. and additional planes for international customers, Majumdar reports.
The department also intends to seek competition for sustaining the F-35, according to the report.
