GAO Report Sees Snags in Future F-35 Affordability

The Department of Defense (DOD) and industry partners still have structural and budgetary issues to address as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program moves forward with plans to increase spending and production, according to a report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) early last week.

With nearly two years and 40 percent of development testing still on the agenda for the $400 billion program, the GAO finds that the DOD and industry partners such as Lockheed Martin may be in dangerous territory.

The program encountered problems with engine durability on a test aircraft last year as a Pratt & Whitney F135 fan cracked during an accelerated mission test at only 77 percent of its required life.

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