The Most Economically Significant Defense Program in History, Contributing Approximately $72 Billion Annually
The F-35 helps secure our world. The program unites valued allies and partners, powers small businesses, and creates high-paying, high-tech jobs for workers in the innovation economy.
Investing in American Workers
- Annual Economic Impact: $72 Billion (based on an independent estimate by AeroDynamic Advisory)
- Advanced Manufacturing Jobs: 214,000
Creating the Jobs of the Future
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Software Development
Advancing the industry by ensuring workers have the expertise and skills to outpace global competitors.
Advancing the Digital Enterprise
- Digital Twin
- Model-Based Engineering
- Agile Software Development
Reducing the cost and schedule of aircraft development, operation and sustainment to set the new standard of connected protection.
"The F-35 program supports a large base of suppliers, skilled factory labor, maintainers, engineers, administrators, logisticians, and trainers. Its economic reach touches nearly every US state and provides countless jobs both directly and indirectly."
- "Evaluating the Economic Value of the F-35," AeroDynamic Advisory, September 2022
“Machinists Union members take great pride in building the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for three U.S. military services. The F-35 program creates a powerful economic impact for our nation and it produces a game-changing aircraft that keeps our fighter pilots safe. Now is the time to invest in the best air-to-air fighter by ramping up the production line to reduce unit costs and continue to handle the world’s current and emerging threats.”
–Robert Martinez Jr., President, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
