The Department of War and Lockheed Martin announced on Thursday that the two sides have agreed to a framework deal for the production of 850 F-35 fighter aircraft over the next 10 years.

The deal is designed to strengthen the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter fleet by creating a “stable, long-term procurement signal to modernize and expand America’s 5th generation tactical aircraft,” though it still needs congressional authorization and appropriations.

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