FILE – In this July 14, 2011 file photo released by U.S. Air Force, a 33rd Fighter Wing aircraft maintainer moves by the Department of Defense’s newest aircraft, the U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF), before giving the pilot an order to taxi the aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Detractors say the F-35 stealth fighter, the costliest military plane ever, is destined to go down as one of the biggest follies in aviation history. But it may have found a savior: deep-pocketed U.S. allies hungry to add its super high-tech capabilities to their arsenal. The program marked a major success last month when Japan chose it as a replacement for 42 aircraft. It was the F-35’s first victory in an open-bidding competition, though countries from Britain to Israel previously made commitments. (AP Photo/U.S. Air Force, Samuel King Jr., File)
Days after a $100 million F-35B crashed in rural South Carolina, a government watchdog report released Thursday highlights ongoing maintenance delays showing F-35 fighter jets are “mission capable” only 55% of the time.
“If the aircraft can only perform 55% of the time and the goal is 85 to 90% of the time, taxpayers are not getting their money’s worth,” said Diana Maurer, who authored the report for the Government Accountability Office.
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The F-35 program, led by military contractor Lockheed Martin, is one of the Defense Department’s most expensive, costing taxpayers a total of $1.7 trillion over its lifespan.
Much of the program’s expense — $1.3 trillion — is the cost of maintaining and operating the fighter jets, the GAO report said.
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Maurer said the fighter jet’s overall sustainment “rests entirely on Lockheed Martin and the sub-contractors it hires.” While that is not unique to the F-35, the GAO found that the contractor-led approach can cause delays.
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