Major defense company lands over $1 billion in fighter jet, missile-defense deals

NewsThe Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia, is seen from the Washington Monument observation deck on the National Mall in Washington, DC on July 23, 2026. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesBy Kayode Crown | kcrown@al.comLockheed Martin secured more than $1 billion in new Defense Department contracts and contract modifications on Tuesday.Its Florida-based Missiles and Fire Control division secured $245 million for infrared tracking systems for Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, along with related equipment and materials. Work locations are Orlando, Florida; Santa Barbara, California; Ocala, Florida; and Archbald, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed in February 2031. For $52 million, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, will integrate upgrades and new capabilities into F-35 fighter jets being produced for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, partner nations and foreign customers.Work locations include Palm Bay, Florida; Fort Worth, Texas; Nashua, New Hampshire; San Diego, California; Blackburn, United Kingdom; and Cheltenham, United Kingdom. Work is expected to continue through July 2028.Apart from those two agreements, the company also had $724 million added to an ongoing project to supply missile-defense systems to Japan. The company will deliver Aegis combat systems for two Japanese warships. The work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, and Japan through March 2030.The fourth agreement is worth nearly $16 million and covers electromechanical actuator units for the U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets. The contract runs through April 28, 2028.Kayode Crown covers trending news and national stories, with a focus on money, federal benefits, military contracts, space news, collectibles and government programs that affect readers across the country. He...