{
  "id": 14792205,
  "title": "Lockheed Martin Showered Susan Collins With Cash as F-35 Program Hit Turbulence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/lockheed-martin-showered-susan-collins-with-cash-as-f-35-program-hit",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-15T21:14:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Intercept",
    "slug": "the-intercept",
    "url": "https://theintercept.com/2026/10/15/susan-collins-lockheed-martin-f35-fighter-jet/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In May 2023, the Pentagon's brand new F-35 fighter jet was facing a series of issues and cost overruns. An internal government watchdog report revealed mounting problems with the program, which was already ten years behind schedule and nearly $200 billion over budget. The Government Accountability Office criticized the Pentagon for merging the upgrades into the overall purchase of the planes, arguing that this would limit transparency for Congress. Contractors behind the F-35 were also criticized for not delivering the jet on time. For Lockheed Martin, the main defense contractor overseeing the F-35 program, this was an unfavorable time. With Congress set to debate the mammoth budget, Lockheed launched a charm offensive in Washington, donating hundreds of thousands to key lawmakers over a two-month period. The largest recipient of this funding was Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, who served as the ranking member on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. During this period, Lockheed contributed $59,500 to Collins's campaign committee, making her the largest recipient of Lockheed cash in the surrounding timeframe. The contributions appeared to be successful, as Collins voted in favor of allocating funds for 83 new F-35 jets in July 2023, just two months after the report. Collins later claimed the military budget would bring economic benefits to Maine. The Intercept questioned Collins's claim, noting that the F-35 program has reportedly had a significant economic impact in her state. The senator's position on the Defense Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee may have influenced her donation behavior, according to analyst Dan Grazier. Collins faced criticism following the release of a ProPublica report investigating allegations of a pay-to-play scheme involving defense contractors and her campaign. More than 250 Mainers signed a letter to the state's attorney general requesting an investigation. The incidents involving Lockheed Martin and Collins highlight the influence of defense contractors on political decisions and the need for transparency in defense spending.",
  "summary": "Collins received tens of thousands from Lockheed during a two-month period surrounding a critical 2023 watchdog report. The post Lockheed Martin Showered Susan Collins With Cash as F-35 Program Hit Turbulence appeared first on The Intercept .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Intercept",
        "title": "Lockheed Martin Showered Susan Collins With Cash as F-35 Program Hit Turbulence",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/lockheed-martin-showered-susan-collins-with-cash-as-f-35-program-hit-14796344",
        "published": "2026-10-15T21:14:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}