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Is Now A 'Make-Or-Break' Time For The F-35?

A U.S. Air Force F-35A assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron prepares to taxi and take off from Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, April 24, 2019. (Staff Sgt. Chris Drzazgowski/U.S. Air Force)  

Air Force Magazine: Make-or-Break Time for the F-35 

The Air Force’s most important program faces increased scrutiny as high costs, low availability, and other problems continue. 

Despite solid combat performance, the F-35’s high maintenance costs and ongoing parts supply problems continue to be a drag on the fifth-generation fighter aircraft, giving critics ammunition as Congress readies to receive the Biden administration’s first budget. 

Lockheed Martin is delivering F-35s at rate of roughly 11 a month—about five of which go to the Air Force—and largely on schedule. Operators seem satisfied with its combat performance. 

But parts problems, engine support issues that will take years to correct, and an evolving performance-based logistics concept suggest a program overhaul may be coming, once the Biden Administration installs its new defense acquisition team.  

Read more .... 

 More News On The F-35  

‘Don’t expect more money’ for additional F-35s in FY22, lawmakers tell an embattled Lockheed -- Defense News  

F-35 cockpit upgrade has $444 million cost overrun -- The Hill 

F-35 Overrun Sticks U.S. Taxpayers, Allies With $444 Million Tab -- Bloomberg  

HASC: Congress Let DoD Buy Too Many F-35 Fighters But Not Enough F-35 Spares, Sustainment -- USNI News  

Sustainment Becoming Most Profitable Part of F-35 for Lockheed Martin -- Air Force Magazine  

F-35 program office announces a ‘strategic pause’ on new logistics system -- Defense News  

Why Turkey’s Expulsion From F-35 Fighter Jet Program Could Cost The US Dearly? -- EurAsian Times  

Turkey's removal from F-35 program to cause hike in engine price -- Defense News  

Today's F-35As Not Worth Including In High-End War Games According To Air Force General -- Warzone/The Drive  

Mixed messages on F-35 undermine our allies -- The Hill



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