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F-35 Upgrade Plagued by Cost Overruns and Productions Delays, GAO Report Says
The F-35 Block 4 upgrade budget has exceeded $6 billion over the original $10.6 billion estimate, with deliveries delayed by technical and supply chain issues, GAO reported.
- The GAO said Wednesday the Pentagon has scaled back F-35 Block 4 modernization due to delays and cost overruns, with completion now no earlier than 2031 and fewer capabilities planned.
- TR-3 problems and parts shortages prompted delays, with Technology Refresh 3 proving harder to deliver and more than 4,000 parts shortages plus Pratt & Whitney's late engines worsening production.
- GAO analysts pointed to both budget overruns and delivery metrics, noting the Block 4 subprogram has a budget overrun of $6 billion and 2024 deliveries were all late by an average delay of 238 days.
- The F-35 Joint Program Office is reorganizing Block 4 and TR-3 into a new subprogram per the 2023 congressional mandate, while GAO recommended evaluating Lockheed Martin's capacity, reforming incentive fees, and tracking defects.
- Despite setbacks, the program's projected lifetime cost tops more than $2,000,000,000,000, with U.S. purchase plans for around 2,500 jets sustaining its strategic role for the U.S. Department of Defense and allies including the UK.
13 Articles
13 Articles
America's technological glory, the fifth generation aircraft is reducing in many countries, but has been accumulating for several years, delays, overcrowded and incidents.
F-35 stealth fighter deliveries have been falling farther and farther behind, watchdog finds
The German pilot commended the F-35's stealth capability, saying it would've "probably killed" him beyond visual range if the competition were real.Andrej Tarfila/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesThe F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter faced worsening delivery delays in 2023 and 2024.A new GAO report said that the average delivery delay in 2024 was 238 late days.The F-35 has struggled with rising costs, delays, and readiness challenges.The …
US watchdog warns of growing risks to F-35 programme - Navy Lookout
The latest US Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of the F-35 programme highlights serious concerns over cost growth, late deliveries, and delays to modernisation. For the UK and the many other nations with a significant proportion of their combat air strength dependent on the jet, the findings are of growing concern. Block 4 modernisation slipping […] The post US watchdog warns of growing risks to F-35 programme first appeared on Navy…
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