PROCUREMENT: F-35 production hits target, plane’s maker says.

Lockheed Martin said Thursday that it has delivered its 91st F-35 of the year, representing a 40 percent jump in production from last year and a nearly 100 percent improvement from production numbers in 2016.

East Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney makes the F135 turbofan engine used in every version of the F-35 aircraft.

The 91st fighter jet — a Marine Corps F-35B variant — is bound for a Marine air station in Beaufort, South Carolina, according to Lockheed officials.

“This milestone demonstrates the F-35 enterprise is prepared for full rate production and ready to deliver on increasing demand from our customers worldwide,” said Greg Ulmer, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program at Lockheed.

Flyaway costs continue to come down, too. Now the Air Force just needs to get to work on the Lightning’s spare parts “crisis” — a totally unexpected crisis which comes with every new jet.