The F-35 fighter jet is more than just an advanced military aircraft. It’s also a major source of jobs and economic activity across the United States. Recent data shows that some U.S. states benefit much more than others when it comes to jobs related to F-35 production and maintenance.
Why F-35 Jobs Matter
The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter jet developed by U.S. defense giants Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems. It plays a key role not only in America’s military strategy but also in supporting thousands of workers through direct and indirect jobs.
These jobs aren’t just limited to assembling the aircraft. They include a wide range of positions, from engineers and technicians to suppliers, subcontractors, and even service providers who support the workforce. In simple terms, F-35 production affects the economy far beyond the factories.
The States Leading in F-35 Jobs
So, which states are leading when it comes to F-35-related employment? Let’s take a look at the numbers:
- New Hampshire: 318.8 F-35 jobs per 100,000 residents (the highest in the country)
- Utah: 181.4 jobs per 100,000 residents
- Florida: 167.1 jobs per 100,000 residents
While these states stand out in terms of F-35 jobs per capita, some of the most populated states have the largest total number of jobs:
- Texas: 43,710 F-35-related jobs overall
- California: 38,520 jobs
- Florida: 37,790 jobs
The overall national average in the U.S. is about 65.4 F-35-related jobs per 100,000 people.
On the other hand, some states like Hawai’i, Nebraska, and North Dakota have fewer than 10 such jobs overall.
How These Jobs Are Counted
It’s important to understand that these numbers include both direct jobs and indirect jobs:
- Direct jobs are roles directly tied to building, maintaining, or supporting the F-35 jets.
- Indirect jobs refer to the broader economic impact—jobs created because of spending by the program or its employees (like local businesses, suppliers, and services supporting F-35 workers).
Political Tensions Affecting the F-35 Program
But there’s more to the story than just job numbers. The F-35 program is deeply connected to international relations and U.S. foreign policy.
In recent years, under the Trump administration, America’s relationships with some key allies—like Canada and NATO countries—became strained. This has led some U.S. allies to rethink their purchases of American-made jets like the F-35.
For example, a politician from Denmark even called for a boycott of American weapons, including the F-35, suggesting countries should explore European-made jets instead.
The Issue of Control: The “Kill Switch” Rumor
There have also been concerns about how much control the U.S. government has over the F-35 jets, especially when sold to other countries. Rumors suggested that the Pentagon might have a secret “kill switch” that could disable the jets remotely.
However, the Pentagon firmly denied this, saying that all agreements with F-35 customer countries ensure they have full control and the necessary tools to operate and maintain the jets themselves.
In simple terms, they assured everyone that no one could simply flip a switch and disable their aircraft.
Buying the F-35 Means Buying a Relationship
Experts point out that buying F-35 jets is not just a military purchase—it’s about building a long-term relationship with the U.S.
As national security expert Winslow T. Wheeler explained, when a country buys F-35 jets, they are also signing up for years of reliance on U.S. companies for parts, maintenance, and support. This creates strong political and economic ties between the U.S. and the buying country.
An example of this is Trump’s offer to sell F-35s to India, even though India is already working on developing its own fifth-generation fighter jets.
Lockheed Martin’s Stand
In response to the changing global dynamics, Lockheed Martin, the company leading the F-35 program, issued a statement. They emphasized that they value their strong relationships with their customers and aim to continue these partnerships into the future.
Boeing Steps In with New Competition
Adding more competition to the mix, Lockheed Martin’s rival, Boeing, recently won a big contract to develop a new advanced fighter jet for the U.S. Air Force—the sixth-generation F-47 jet. Former President Trump announced this development, signaling the next step in U.S. military aviation.
The Bigger Picture: NATO & F-35
The F-35 is also a central part of a broader strategy involving NATO countries. The goal has been to get as many allied nations as possible to use the same aircraft. This makes it easier for these countries to share resources, conduct joint operations, and strengthen alliances.
However, with political tensions rising and some countries reconsidering their F-35 purchases, there’s a risk that this plan might face setbacks. Still, actually abandoning the F-35 program entirely would be a huge step—one that seems unlikely at the moment.
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