How Many Fighter Jets Does The USA Produce Annually?

Summary The US remains a key player among fighter jet producers, with four types in production, including the F-16, F-15EX, F/A-18, and F-35. While some F-16 lines for the US have closed, Lockheed maintains export orders. The F-16 is a popular choice worldwide.

The F-35 Lightning II is the primary US fighter jet, with different variants serving Air Force, Navy, and amphibious roles. The United States is one of the two top producers of fighter jets (the other being China, which produces a similar number ). The United States currently produces four types of fighter jets: the F-16 Fighting Falcon , the F-15EX Strike Eagle II , the F/A-18 Super Hornet (and Growler), and the F-35 Lightning II .

Many of these aircraft are produced for export (the F-16 is only produced for export). Two of the fighter jet production lines are expected to end in the next few years, leaving only the F-35 in production for the US military. F-16 Fighting Falcon - export only Lockheed Martin keeps its F-16 Fighting Falcon line open only for export (the US Air Force no longer procures the F-16).

The F-16 currently has a back order of around 124 jets (likely excluding a new 40-jet Turkish order), and it is estimated that foreign air forces around the world could order another 300 F-16s . The F-16 has been one of the most successful modern fighter jets and is the most common fighter jet in the world today. US fighter jets: Annual production: Note F-16 Block 70/72: 36 (planned 2024) Export only; planned to ra.