U.S. Representative Blake Moore joined Lockheed Martin and Janicki Industries two weeks ago at an interactive F‑35 cockpit demo near Hill Air Force Base in Layton, Utah. The gathering highlighted a newly secured $6.5 million federal grant for a dedicated canopy‑maintenance facility and projected a $675 million annual economic impact for the state.

$6.5 Million Federal Funding Secured for Canopy Facility

Moore announced that the $6.5 million he helped obtain will fund the planning and design of a new F‑35 canopy‑maintenance building at Hill Air Force Base. According to the event briefing, the facility will add 70,000 sq ft to Janicki’s existing footprint, bringing the total to 170,000 sq ft.. The expansion is expected to lift Janicki’s workforce from 130 to at least 200 employees,a clear signal that federal dollars are still flowing into Utah’s aerospace sector.

Janicki’s 70,000‑Sq‑Ft Expansion Signals Manufacturing Upswing

Janicki Industries’ senior manager of strategic growth, Marshall Hagen, described the new space as a “strategic growth hub” for advanced composite work on the F‑35’s canopy system. The added square footage will accommodate new tooling and testing bays, positioning the Layton site as a regional hub for high‑tech defense manufacturing. As noted by the speakers, the expansion dovetails with broader plans to increase Utah’s share of the $675 million annual economic impact generated by the F‑35 program across 19 suppliers.

Elon Musk’s ‘Broken Design’ Claim Sparks Industry Defense

During the event, Lockheed Martin’s F‑35 vice‑president Chauncey McIntosh pushed back against recent criticism from Elon Musk, who labeled the fighter a “broken design” and suggested manned jets are obsolete . McIntosh countered that the F‑35 remains “the tip of the spear” for penetrating enemy defenses, emphasizing its combat‑proven record in hostile environments. This exchange underscores a broader debate about the relevance of fifth‑generation fighters in an era dominated by drones and autonomous systems.

Production Ramps Up for 20 Allied Nations,Boosting Utah Jobs

The program is currently scaling production to meet demand from the United States and 20 allied countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan. according to the event’s data, this surge could sustain over 5,000 jobs across the state’s supply chain. Moore highlighted that northern Utah’s contribution to global security is “a tangible expression of our region’s commitment to peace and stability.”

Who Will Fill the New Jobs? Workforce Gaps Remain Unclear

While the expansion promises up to 70 new positions at Janicki, the report does not specify the skill sets or training programs needed to staff them. It also leaves unanswered whether local colleges or vocational schools have the capacity to meet this demand, a question that will shape the long‑term sustainability of Utah’s aerospace workforce.