In order to rein in runaway costs associated with the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF), the Defense Department announced March 12 a change in the way it conducts business with the plane’s primary contractor, Lockheed Martin. From now on, DoD will require a fixed-price contract in negotiations. The price tag for the JSF, which will replace the aging fleets of fighters used by the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as in several foreign countries, has shot up to between $80 and $95 million each – up from the initial projected cost of $50 million. The Defense Department has ordered 2,443 planes; eight other countries are buying another 730. Under the new contract arrangement, DoD and Lockheed will agree to a fixed price beforehand. Final cost will no longer depend upon the time it takes for Lockheed to deliver the finished product.