Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II is a leading fifth-generation fighter jet but has been plagued by high costs and low readiness rates. With projected lifetime program costs exceeding $2 trillion, the F-35's sustainability remains a priority concern. Amidst these challenges, Lockheed representatives emphasize the importance of adequately funding the supply of parts and maintenance to enhance mission capability rates. They assert that greater availability of parts will lead to improved fleet readiness, ultimately making operation costs lower as production continues and supplies increase.
Smith explained that increasing the availability of parts is crucial for reaching desired readiness levels. If the parts are available and on the shelf, he stated, then we can get to the readiness rates that are desired by all of our customers that are out there.
Despite its advanced capabilities, the F-35 program has faced significant challenges, with sustainability costs rising and a report indicating troubling mission-capable rates that have persisted over years.
Lockheed's F-35 director emphasized that reliable funding and supply are essential to improve the aircraft's readiness rates, noting that addressing these issues comes down to reliably investing in parts and maintenance.
The lifetime F-35 program costs are projected to exceed $2 trillion, posing challenges not only for its sustainability but also for achieving mission-capable status.
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