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Contracts · Aircraft survivability

Navy seeks suppliers for estimated $104 million countermeasures production contract

The planned AN/ALE-47 Common Carriage contract would move the system into rate production. Responses are due Oct. 30; the notice does not commit the government to an award.

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is seeking manufacturers to move the AN/ALE-47 Common Carriage countermeasures dispensing system from engineering and manufacturing development into rate production. Its Oct. 16 notice does not obligate the government to award a contract.1

Navy plans AN/ALE-47 Common Carriage rate production

Proposed Navy and Marine Corps contract; requirements for FY2028 through FY2030

$104MEstimated contract value
10 shipsets/monthAnticipated initial production, estimated

The notice does not obligate the government to award a contract.

Source: NAVAIR, SAM.gov sources-sought notice. As of Oct. 16, 2026.

TGOs tgos.io

The modernization replaces the legacy round-magazine dispenser with a square-magazine design, increasing aircraft magazine capacity from 30 to 48 rounds. NAVAIR says the change aligns joint logistics with the Air Force, Army and F-35 platforms.1

NAVAIR estimates a $104 million contract across the Navy and Marine Corps. The planned ordering period would satisfy requirements for fiscal 2028 through 2030.1

NAVAIR anticipates a firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract and an award in May 2028. Initial production is estimated at 10 shipsets a month, with deliveries anticipated to begin as early as 12 months after each delivery order award.1

Required capabilities include producing thin-walled aluminum castings for the housing, machined blocks for the magazine and loading government-provided flight software onto the sequencer. Respondents must demonstrate certified quality controls such as AS9100.1

Capability statements are limited to 12 pages. Responses are due Oct. 30, 2026.1

Prospective suppliers must demonstrate they can manage and mitigate long-lead procurement of critical microelectronic components, with a supply chain structure that can support a 12-month post-award initial delivery schedule. They also need possession of or authorized access to the necessary technical data, or a viable plan to secure it.1

Sources (1)
  1. SAM.gov API record for the notice sam.gov
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Contracts · Combat aircraft

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft, assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron, is towed by members of the 34th Fighter Generation Squadron, both assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, May 24, 2025.
Archive photograph · A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft, assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron, is towed by members of the 34th Fighter Generation Squadron, both assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, May 24, 2025. Tech. Sgt. Daniel Peterson / DVIDS Taken 2025-05-24. public-domain; reuse terms. The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

Lockheed to self-fund at least $7 billion under F-35 framework

The framework sets a minimum of 850 U.S. aircraft over 10 years; execution depends on congressional authorization and appropriations.

The Department of War and Lockheed Martin finalized a 10-year framework for F-35 production and sustainment on Oct. 22, 2026.12 The department says Lockheed will self-fund at least $7 billion in initiatives supporting the program in exchange for the decade-long commitment.1

Lockheed Martin will self-fund at least $7 billion

10-year F-35 framework agreement

Lockheed Martin will self-fundat least $7 billionplanned

initiatives that support the F-35 Program

formal contract awardwill work to finalize contract terms, pricing, and schedulescontingent

If granted multiyear authority and associated appropriations in the coming months

Execution of the agreement remains subject to Congressional authorization and appropriations.

Sources: Department of War; Lockheed Martin. As of Oct. 22, 2026.

Sources
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Execution remains subject to congressional authorization and appropriations.1 If multiyear authority and associated appropriations are granted in the coming months, Lockheed says it and the F-35 Joint Program Office will work to finalize contract terms, pricing and schedules through a formal award.2

The department describes 850 U.S. aircraft as the framework’s minimum floor over 10 years.1 The framework includes initial spares and 10 years of modification kits and sustainment.2

It also includes international customer orders across Lots 21–30. Lockheed describes a continued production rate of 156 aircraft a year under the framework.2

Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet said the greater certainty would let the company make upfront investments to expand capacity, improve efficiency and build a more resilient supply chain.2

Sources (2)
  1. Department of War: Department of War and Lockheed Martin Finalize Landmark 10-Year F-35 Deal, Securing $7B in Private Investment (Oct. 22, 2026) www.war.gov
  2. Lockheed Martin: New Framework Agreement for Multiyear F-35 Production and Sustainment (Oct. 22, 2026) news.lockheedmartin.com
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Contracts · Munitions

Denmark to buy Kongsberg and Covenant long-range missiles, Breaking Defense reports

Denmark’s planned purchases pair Kongsberg’s F-35 weapon with Covenant’s recently unveiled ground-launched Anthem cruise missile, Breaking Defense reports.

Denmark announced plans on Oct. 22, 2026, to acquire long-range precision missiles, Breaking Defense reported. The purchases cover Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile for the F-35 and Covenant’s ground-launched Anthem cruise missile.1

Denmark will acquire two types of long-range precision missiles

Oct. 22, 2026

KongsbergF-35 Joint Strike Missilesplanned

Denmark will acquire

Covenantground-launched Anthem cruise missilesplanned

Denmark will acquire

Copenhagen did not disclose the cost or quantities involved in either procurement.

Reported by Breaking Defense. As of Oct. 22, 2026.

Sources
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For Covenant, the Danish purchase announcement follows Anthem’s unveiling last month. Co-founder and chief executive Michael Kaufman said the company had flown the weapon more than 200 times since its first flight in August 2025.1

The Joint Strike Missile would equip Denmark’s growing F-35 fleet. Denmark is on track to operate 43 F-35s. It pledged to acquire another 16 last year. The F-35A can carry the missile internally, preserving the aircraft’s stealth profile.1

The scale of the purchases remains undisclosed: Copenhagen released neither costs nor quantities for either procurement, according to Breaking Defense. Kongsberg said negotiations with the customer will determine the scope and value of its Joint Strike Missile package.1

Sources (1)
  1. Breaking Defense: ‘Ability to strike back’: Denmark commits to long-range missile orders breakingdefense.com
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