Lockheed F-35's Parts to Get More Scrutiny Amid Test Delays, Pentagon Says

The U.S. Defense Department may require more rigorous inspection of parts for the F-35 fighter jet, its most expensive weapons program, add maintenance staff and buy more replacement components as the agency works to prevent major flight delays because of failing parts.

Other responses to a “higher than expected” failure rate on some components for the Marine Corps and Air Force versions of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s $382.4 billion fighter-jet program include revised flight days and parts redesigns, if necessary, Pentagon spokeswoman Cheryl Irwin said in an e-mailed statement prepared by the program manager.

Development and combat testing of the Joint Strike Fighter, also intended for use by the Navy, is behind schedule, prompting the U.S. government to warn that it may withhold millions of dollars in fees.

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