GAO Report Says F-35 Fighter Jets Are Only Capable Of Flying Missions 55% Of The Time

An F-35 aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 and an F-35B instructor pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501 perform preflight checks on an F-35B Lightning II jet at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 20, 2023. US Marine Corps/Staff Sgt. Theodore Bergan

Insider: F-35 stealth fighter jets are only capable of flying missions a little over half the time, watchdog finds

* A new government watchdog report reveals that the F-35 program is plagued by maintenance issues.

* Because of these problems, the stealth fighters can only fly a mission just over half the time.

* "Maintenance challenges negatively affect F-35 aircraft readiness," the report noted.

The US military's F-35 fighters are only capable of flying missions just over half the time due to serious maintenance issues, according to a watchdog review of the Pentagon's long-term procurement plans for the stealth aircraft.

The new findings, included in a lengthy report published on Thursday by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), come just days after a F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter crashed over South Carolina during a training mishap, leading the US Marines Corps to issue a two-day pause to all flights over ongoing safety concerns.

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WNU Editor: Why is this not surprising.

GAO Report Says F-35 Fighter Jets Are Only Capable Of Flying Missions 55% Of The Time

Only 55 percent of F-35s mission capable, putting depot work in spotlight: GAO -- Breaking Defense

F-35 fighter jets are only ‘mission capable' 55% of the time, new report says -- NBC News

America's F-35 fighter jets are only 'mission capable' HALF of the time and are costing $1.3 trillion to maintain new report claims - just days after $80M stealth plane crashed in South Carolina -- Daily Mail

F-35 military fighter jets ‘mission capable’ 55% of time: Report -- News Nation

F-35 Stealth Fighter Only Mission Capable About Half The Time, Government Report Finds -- Zero Hedge/Epoch Times

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