WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin Corp., the nation's largest defense contractor, will have to wait a few more weeks to find out if the Pentagon wants to buy more F-22 fighter jets.

The Pentagon's outgoing acquisition czar, John Young, on Friday sent a letter to House Armed Services Committee chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., saying the department will delay its decision on purchasing more F-22s until its fiscal 2010 defense budget is complete.

President Obama had been expected to make a decision on the future of the F-22 program by a self-imposed deadline of today.

Young said the $140 million authorized by Congress last year to buy materials for four of the radar-evading planes is "adequate" to keep all options on the table until broader budget decisions are completed.

If the Pentagon had needed more money, Obama would have been required to certify to Congress that the F-22 is a program of "national interest" — and express his intent to buy more planes beyond the 183 jets already planned.

Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed earlier last week said the additional funds, already authorized and appropriated by Congress, would be necessary to keep the lines open if a decision on the F-22 is not made by today.

The defense contractor says that thousands of jobs will be lost if Obama decides not to continue funding for the advanced planes, which cost $191 million each.

The supersonic jet has enjoyed strong support on Capitol Hill, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Air Force officials have differed over the future of the program and the number of planes needed.

Most of the aircraft are being built by Lockheed in Georgia and Texas. Boeing Co. manufactures the wings and other parts in Seattle. The engines are supplied by Pratt & Whitney in Middletown, Conn.