# US Air Force fighter fleet expansion plans

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-air-force-fighter-fleet-expansion-plans
> Updated: 2026-10-26T17:44:00.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 4.

The U.S. Air Force has proposed a strategic blueprint to expand its combat-coded fighter fleet to 1,509 aircraft by 2035. Under this structure, the F-35 is expected to grow from 30% to 40% of the total fleet, while the F-22 and its planned successor, the F-47, would collectively account for 20%. The remaining 40% would consist of F-15 and F-16 aircraft. Lieutenant General David Tabor noted that the projected fleet aims for stealth technology to comprise approximately 60% of the total inventory.

However, industrial capacity remains a significant concern. General Tabor cautioned that funded orders do not always translate to delivered aircraft, noting that production lines at companies like Lockheed Martin are heavily committed to international customers. This capacity issue is viewed as a challenge to maintaining a strategic balance in the Pacific, particularly as China’s aerospace sector expands; estimates suggest the People’s Liberation Army may already operate between 1,400 and 1,700 modern combat aircraft.

To support modernization, Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet announced plans to upgrade the F-35 to provide “80% of the capabilities of a sixth-generation fighter” at roughly half the cost of a new aircraft. This initiative, involving the company’s Skunk Works division, is supported by a ten-year framework agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. The agreement targets the production of at least 850 F-35 aircraft at an annual rate of 156 units. Lockheed Martin intends to invest at least $7 billion to stabilize the supply chain, allowing for facility upgrades, increased hiring, and software refinement to minimize costs from defective parts and delivery delays.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: Lockheed Martin to integrate sixth-generation technology into F-35

Lockheed Martin plans to integrate sixth-generation technologies into the F-35 to boost performance at half the cost of a new design, supported by a proposed ten-year procurement framework.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lockheed-martin-to-integrate-sixth-generation-technology-into-f-35

### 2026-10-24: Lockheed Martin targets sixth-generation capabilities for F-35

Lockheed Martin aims to upgrade the F-35 to reach 80% of sixth-generation fighter capability under a new 10-year framework agreement targeting the production of at least 850 aircraft.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lockheed-martin-targets-sixth-generation-capabilities-for-f-35

### 2026-10-24: US Air Force targets 1,509 combat aircraft by 2035

The US Air Force aims for 1,509 combat aircraft by 2035, with 60% being stealth models, amid concerns over industrial capacity and China's rapid aerospace expansion.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-air-force-targets-1509-combat-aircraft-by-2035

### 2026-10-22: US Air Force plans 1,509 fighter aircraft fleet by 2035

The U.S. Air Force aims to reach a fleet of 1,509 combat-coded fighters by 2035, with F-35s projected to comprise 40% of the total force.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-air-force-plans-to-increase-f-35-fleet-share-to-40-by-2035

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Cite as: US Air Force fighter fleet expansion plans. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-air-force-fighter-fleet-expansion-plans