Machinists Union Backs 10-Year F-35 Defense Contract

The labor group is urging Congress to authorize long-term procurement to stabilize F-35 production.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Unions

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a stylized metallic aerospace component, symbolizing precision and structural stability in defense manufacturing. — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is urging Congress to authorize a 10-year procurement contract for the F-35 program. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the federal government use long-term multiyear contracts to purchase major military equipment?

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is calling on Congress to approve a 10-year procurement contract for the F-35 program. The union argues that multiyear authority in the Fiscal Year 2027 defense bills will improve long-term planning and manufacturing efficiency.

Why it matters

Transitioning to a 10-year contract model aims to address the planning difficulties inherent in single-year purchasing. This shift is designed to ensure consistent investment in specialized labor and sustainment efforts across the national supply chain.

The proposed 10-year procurement contract is estimated to save taxpayers between $9 billion and $10 billion over the next decade. Meanwhile, the program currently targets an 80% mission-capable fleet status by 2030.

The players

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

This union represents over 600,000 employees working across major aerospace and defense companies.

Lockheed Martin

This global aerospace and defense firm maintains a major F-35 manufacturing facility in Texas.

Pratt & Whitney

This aerospace manufacturer specializes in engine production, including the F135 engines for the F-35.

The details

Union members currently build aircraft at a Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas, and produce engines at Pratt & Whitney sites in Connecticut. The broader F-35 supply chain includes 1,900 suppliers across 48 states and Puerto Rico, supporting over 317,000 jobs.

Fiscal Year 2027 is the target period for the proposed multiyear contracting authority.
The year 2030 serves as the deadline to reach an 80% mission-capable fleet.

Political Context

The union is lobbying for changes that would structurally alter the implementation of the Fiscal Year 2027 defense authorization bills. This push faces potential pushback from fiscal hawks who may prioritize annual oversight over the long-term commitments requested by the defense industry.

The transition to long-term contracting could influence defense manufacturing stability in states hosting F-35 supply chain operations. Taxpayers may see savings if the 10-year procurement model successfully reduces program costs as currently estimated.

The takeaway

Securing multiyear defense contracts is a critical step for labor organizations aiming to protect specialized jobs and ensure consistent production volume. Suppliers involved in the program should prepare for potential shifts in investment and resource allocation under the new proposal.