Why Lockheed Martin's $2 trillion F-35 program is so expensive

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
F-35 flying in the air
Lockheed Martin's F-35 is one of the most advanced aircraft ever designed. Buying and keeping them flying for decades is estimated to cost the US government $2 trillion.

Leon Neal/Getty Images

Trump wants to cap defense CEO pay. Here's how much they make.

Tech Insider : Politics, Business, Style
Donald Trump and James Taiclet
Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday regulating defense contractors, including their executive pay.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Taylor Hill/WireImage

Lockheed says it plans to dramatically turn up Patriot missile production

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Soldiers from the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade conduct a Patriot missile live-fire exercise at MacGregor Range near Fort Bliss, Texas, Aug. 23, 2025.
Lockheed Martin said it plans to boost production of Patriot missile interceptors.

US Army photo by Sgt. JaDarius Duncan

Lockheed Martin says the US is interested in its '5th-generation-plus' F-35 that uses tech from its failed 6th-generation bid

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Lockheed Martin's CEO says its idea of an F-35 stealth fighter upgraded with sixth-generation technology has the US government's keen interest.
Lockheed Martin's CEO says its idea of an F-35 stealth fighter upgraded with sixth-generation technology has the US government's keen interest.

Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin/US Air Force

Now that Trump acquired 10% of Intel, who's next?

Tech Insider : Politics, Business, Economy
Donald Trump speaks at the White House, August 2025
Donald Trump says he wants to do more deals like the one he just did with Intel, where the U.S. took a 10% stake in the chip-maker.

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

The F-35 could be 'pilot optional' in the not-too-distant future, Lockheed Martin CEO says

Tech Insider : Business
1st Lt. Bailey
Lockheed Martin's CEO said the company is working on advanced upgrades to the F-35, which would allow it to fly without a pilot.

US Air Force photo by Capt. Nathan Poblete

In an F-35 funding fight, Musk will need to win over a skeptical Congress and Trump

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
A US F-35 in flight.
A US F-35 in flight.

US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jack Rodgers

Elon Musk said the F-35's makers are 'idiots' for still building manned jets as drone tech rises

Tech Insider : Politics
An F-35 flies in the sky and Elon Musk is dressed in a suit and tie in separate photos.
Elon Musk is criticizing the F-35, tweeting that it has a "shit design."

Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty Images and Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Norwegian F-35s called into action as NATO scrambles jets after Russian aircraft spotted off Norway and over Baltic Sea

Tech Insider
An F-35 fighter jet.
An F-35 fighter jet.

NATO Air Command/X

How an F-22 fighter pilot transforms the stealth jet's combat capabilities into a soaring spectacle

Tech Insider
US Air Force Capt. Samuel
US Air Force Capt. Samuel "RaZZ" Larson, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team commander, shakes hands with a senior airman before taxiing.

US Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaela Smith

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