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Donald Trump tweets F-35 'out of control', Lockheed stock stumbles

By Ryan Maass
Donald Trump's recent tweet calling the F-35 program costs "out of control" marks his latest criticism of a major U.S. defense contractor. Photo by Albin Lohr-Jones/UPI
Donald Trump's recent tweet calling the F-35 program costs "out of control" marks his latest criticism of a major U.S. defense contractor. Photo by Albin Lohr-Jones/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- President-elect Donald Trump targeted Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II production on Twitter, condemning the program for being too costly.

The F-35 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter intended to replace a variety of legacy aircraft used by the U.S. Armed Forces including the F-16, F/A-18, and A-10. Many international customers have also expressed interest in procuring the new aircraft. However, the program has experienced several cost overruns and delays since the first plane took flight in 2006.

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In a tweet that did not mention Lockheed Martin by name, Trump appeared to suggest the program may experience cutbacks after his inauguration.

Trading at $246 at midday, Lockheed Martin's stock fefl by 13.20 points, or 5.09 percent, from the previous close. The tweet was the president-elect's latest criticism of a major U.S. defense contractor, following his attack on Boeing's Air Force One program.

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"Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion," he said. "Cancel order!"

Lockheed Martin maintains it has a firm grip on its expenses, claiming production costs have dropped by 55 percent since the construction of the first F-35. The estimated contracted unit costs for Low Rate Initial Production Lot 7, which does not include engine costs, are $98 million for the F-35A, $104 million for the F-35B and $116 million for the F-35C.

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