The F-35 is used for defending airspace, a doubly-federal duty. Spreading the spending so widely is a purely political gambit (I believe pioneered by NASA with the Space Shuttle).
Although expensive, it wouldn't surprise me if the F-35 was financially profitable for the US.
The F-35 jet program accounts for about 27% of Lockheed's revenue
Lockheed financials: 2024 net sales $71.0 billion. Recorded pre-tax losses of $2.0 billion associated with classified programs
Returned $6.8 billion of cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in 2024
Total Assets @Q1 54.96B
$110.94 B Marketcap
Nearly 80% of the $46 billion in revenue in 2014 was generated from purchases by the US government
Total foreign ownership of US companies is about 40% (I wonder if total US ownership of foreign companies exceeds foreign ownership of US companies?)
Sourced above by variety of sources - likely inaccurate.
Total costs (e.g. externalities, political) and benefits (e.g. security, influence) are harder to guess at.
The US political system puts a huge amount of pressure on allies to buy US armaments. The US military industrial capitalism is complex, and has massive political backing. Christmas lights sell missiles. I also wonder how much of the F-35 profitability comes from a Gillette/SaaS/HP financial model? Wars destroy capital goods, which is great if you're selling them.
Total costs (e.g. externalities, political) and benefits (e.g. security, influence) are harder to guess at.
The US political system puts a huge amount of pressure on allies to buy US armaments. The US military industrial capitalism is complex, and has massive political backing. Christmas lights sell missiles. I also wonder how much of the F-35 profitability comes from a Gillette/SaaS/HP financial model? Wars destroy capital goods, which is great if you're selling them.