Lockheed Martin, the American defense giant, reported a net profit of $1.84 billion in the second quarter of 2026, or $7.94 per share, as revenues jumped 11 percent year-on-year to $20.06 billion. The company, a key supplier of fighter jets, missile systems, and nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, raised its full-year revenue and profit forecasts amid booming demand fueled by the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran.
The company’s order backlog surged to $230.4 billion at the end of the first half of 2026, up from $193.6 billion at the close of 2025, reflecting a wave of government contracts. Lockheed Martin’s aeronautics division posted $8.11 billion in revenue, up 9 percent, while its missile and fire control unit brought in $4.1 billion, a 19 percent increase. The rotary and mission systems segment generated $4.35 billion, also up 9 percent, and the space division added $3.5 billion, a 6 percent gain.
From F-35s to HIMARS: a portfolio in high demand
Lockheed Martin is best known for its F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, and early warning planes. But its product line extends to HIMARS rocket launchers, JASSM and LRASM cruise missiles, and long-range ballistic interceptors. In Poland, the company produces S-70 Black Hawk helicopters and M28 transport planes at its Mielec facility. With the U.S. military heavily engaged in operations against Iran, orders for virtually every category of weaponry have accelerated.
The company also manufactures Trident submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads, underscoring its strategic role in America’s nuclear triad. The combination of conventional and strategic systems has created a steady revenue stream that now looks set to grow further.
Higher forecasts and a record backlog
Lockheed Martin now expects full-year 2026 revenue in the range of $79.75 billion to $81.75 billion, up from previous guidance. Earnings per share are projected at $29.95 to $30.65, reflecting confidence that the current geopolitical climate will sustain high procurement volumes. The company has noted that the backlog, which swelled to over $230 billion by mid-year, provides visibility into production schedules for years to come.
– The demand for our systems is unprecedented, and we are working closely with our customers to accelerate deliveries – said Lockheed Martin CEO in a statement (fictional quote based on company communications). The company’s second-quarter net profit of $1.84 billion compares with just $342 million in the same period last year, a more than fivefold increase that highlights the windfall from conflict-related spending.
Analysts point out that while the current conflict is a key driver, Lockheed Martin’s diverse portfolio—spanning air, land, sea, and space—positions it to benefit from long-term defense budget increases in the U.S. and allied nations. The company’s operations in Poland also tie it closely to Europe’s own rearmament efforts, with local production of helicopters and transport aircraft serving both domestic and export markets.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Mike Mareen / Shutterstock
