Joint Strike Fighter CV

The Joint Strike Fighter CV (LI 0147) program is a major Department of Defense initiative focused on the procurement and support of the F-35C Carrier Variant for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The program's overarching goal is to field a family of next-generation strike fighters that deliver advanced capabilities in stealth, avionics, and operational flexibility. It also aims to maintain commonality among the three F-35 variants to reduce life cycle costs. The F-35C is designed for carrier operations, offering increased range, internal fuel capacity, and advanced weapon systems. This supports the Navy's and Marine Corps' requirements for global air superiority and operational maneuverability from both carriers and land bases.

The Navy's portion of the program in FY 2026 requests funding for the procurement of F-35C aircraft, including both recurring and non-recurring costs. Recurring costs encompass the airframe, electronics, engines, and engineering change orders, all sourced primarily from Lockheed Martin (airframe) and Pratt & Whitney (engines). Non-recurring costs include special tooling, test equipment, and efforts to address Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS), such as life-of-type part buys and redesigns. The budget also funds ancillary mission equipment, government acceptance flight support, systems engineering, and production readiness reviews, all aimed at risk mitigation and cost reduction.

The Marine Corps' line item supports procurement of F-35C aircraft in FY 2026, with a focus on supporting squadron stand-up and operational backfill. The USMC's objectives include fielding additional operational squadrons and ensuring the aircraft are equipped with mission-critical systems and pilot equipment. Non-recurring costs for the USMC cover their share of production tooling and DMS management, while recurring costs include airframe, electronics, engines, and ancillary equipment. The USMC also invests in unique ground support equipment and logistics tailored to their operational requirements, such as site activation and maintenance planning.

The FY 2026 budget includes significant advance procurement funding for long-lead airframe and engine components, as well as the new radar system, to support timely delivery of future aircraft. Advance procurement is critical for maintaining production schedules and mitigating risks associated with supply chain delays. For both the Navy and Marine Corps, advance procurement covers avionics components, bulkhead forgings, landing gear, electronic warfare systems, and radar hardware, as well as propulsion system parts like turbines, compressors, and debris monitoring units. This funding ensures that aircraft can be delivered earlier than without advance procurement, providing strategic advantages in fleet modernization.

The program's objectives extend beyond procurement to include robust support and sustainment efforts. FY 2026 funding supports the transition from the legacy logistics information system to the F-35 Operational Data Integrated Network, enhancing logistics and data management capabilities. Investments are made in depot activation, intermediate and depot-level maintenance capacity, cyber compliance, and repair capabilities for both airframe and propulsion components. Additional support costs cover ground support equipment for squadron stand-ups, mission planning hardware and software, and integrated logistics support for pilot equipment and site activation.

The program incorporates cost-sharing arrangements among U.S. services and international partners, particularly for non-recurring production costs. Advisory and Assistance Services funding has been reduced in alignment with Executive Order 14222, promoting government efficiency and cost savings. The program's cost structure is influenced by procurement quantities, configuration updates, capability increments, and inflationary pressures, with ongoing efforts to balance cost efficiency and capability enhancement.