While the Pentagon now expects the plane to fly until 2088, GAO found the services are planning to slash flight hours, which can help hold down the program’s topline.
By Michael MarrowOlder F-35 stealth fighters were slated to start getting the Technology Refresh 3 upgrade this month, but the Pentagon has postponed the retrofit plan to an unspecified date.
By Michael MarrowThe approval ends an ironic episode for the fighter nicknamed the “Lightning II.”
By Valerie Insinna and Michael MarrowWhile over 900 F-35s have been produced, the program has technically been stuck in its initial operational testing phase for years over the delayed completion of the trials.
By Michael MarrowA sweeping report on sustainment of the F-35 from the Government Accountability Office found that a lack of depot capacity is hurting the fighter’s mission capable rates, with other problems in access to technical data, availability of parts and over-reliance on contractors for maintenance.
By Michael MarrowLockheed CEO Jim Taiclet also said that TR-3 upgrade delays for the Joint Strike Fighter stemmed from late hardware, compressing the schedule for software testing.
By Michael MarrowThe defense giant previously expected to deliver the first in a new series of upgraded F-35s by the end of this year, a schedule that has now slipped to April 2024 at the earliest.
By Michael MarrowThe agreement started as an undefinitized contract action in June 2022. The total value could reach as high as $8 billion.
By Michael MarrowThe United States is sending a delegation focused on the Indo-Pacific region, including top people from. the Navy and Marines, as well as officials with a broader ambit such as the head of DSCA and the F-35 Joint Program Office.
By Colin ClarkThe Joint Program Office beleives it has a fix for a “rare system phenomenon involving harmonic resonance” in the F135 engine.
By Aaron Mehta“As of yesterday, F-35 flight test organizations have ceased flight operations, but organizations that can continue verification activities via telework are continuing to do so,” Brandi Schiff, JPO spokesman, said yesterday in an email.
By Colin ClarkNewer A, B and C Variant aircraft are averaging greater than 60 percent mission capable rates, with some units consistently at or above 70 percent.
By Colin ClarkMore than 80 percent of operational F-35s have returned to flight operations but the fuel tube problems may delay testing another two months.
By Colin Clark