The Pentagon submitted its fiscal year 2027 budget request today. The proposal seeks funding for 85 total F-35 Lightning II fighters. The U.S. Air Force would receive 38 of the F-35A models. This request represents an increase of 14 aircraft over the previous year. The overall defense budget is projected to reach $1.5 trillion. Retired Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula of the Mitchell Institute stated this rate fails to reverse inventory shortfalls. Competing financial pressures from the F-47 fighter, B-21 bomber, and Sentinel ICBM programs limited procurement. This news may temper investor expectations for defense contractors reliant on large-scale F-35 production.