Lockheed Martin lays off 10% of its workforce

Lockheed Martin announced on Friday, June 20, that it will be laying off 10% of its Greenville, South Carolina, workforce.

The layoffs come after the U.S. Air Force's decision not to renew a $900 million contract for F-16 maintenance, which closed in April 2025.

"As a result of the Air Force's decision not to extend the F-16 CONUS Depot contract, and to meet our customers' needs for affordability in a cost-competitive environment, we made the difficult decision to conduct a limited reduction in force at our Greenville site," Lockheed Martin said in a statement. "This decision was made with a great deal of consideration and careful evaluation, and we're committed to supporting affected employees with outplacement services and career counseling.

According to GSA Business Report, the layoffs could result in a reduction of as many as 180 jobs.

Here's what to know about the company in Greenville.

What does Lockheed Martin do in Greenville?

Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville is primarily involved in the production and sustainment of the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, including final assembly, modifications, maintenance, repair, and overhaul. Other military and civilian aircraft are also supported at the site through various sustainment services.

The company's overall annual economic impact on S.C. exceeds $1.3 billion, including financial support for nearly 200 suppliers based within the state.

What is the F-16 Fighting Falcon?

According to the Naval Air Systems Command, the F-16A is a single-seat, single-engine, multirole jet fighter with superior maneuverability and sophisticated tracking and weapon systems for the interception and attack of other aircraft. The F-16B is a two-seat version typically used for student pilot training, with the instructor pilot seated in the rear cockpit. The aircraft serves in an aggressor-training role with the simulation capability of current threat aircraft in fighter combat mode, per Naval Air Systems Command.