The US military is set to spend at least $1.7 trillion on nearly 2,500 F-35 fighter jets that have “expensive maintenance issues” – and have a coin-flip opportunity to complete their missions, according to a new government report released Thursday.
The F-35 air fleet was included as a line item in last year’s annual defense budget, but the Pentagon remains “behind schedule” in maintaining the fighter jets, the Government Accountability Office found.
The GAO report also shows the $100 million F-35s are capable of completing missions only 55% of the time, and more than 10,000 aircraft have been grounded for repairs. Only 450 are currently placed.
It also cited delays in “providing military service depots – facilities to complete the most complex repairs,” “insufficient equipment to keep aircraft operational” and “maintenance and supply delays affecting aircraft readiness.”
The Pentagon is set to spend $1.7 trillion on nearly 2,500 F-35 fighter jets as a result of “expensive maintenance issues” it faces in operating and repairing the planes.REUTERS
The findings raised concerns about one of the US military’s most expensive weapons systems just days after a pilot was ejected from an F-35 in South Carolina for what officials described as “deficiency.”
The jet disappeared in bad weather and the unidentified pilot apparently bailed out of the cockpit before activating the plane’s tracking system – causing it to disappear for several days before the wreckage was found in a wooded area in Williamsburg County, about 60 miles from the North Charleston residential neighborhood of where the pilot jumped.
“Throughout the life of the F-35 program, sustainment has recently been prioritized and difficult decisions about sustainment have continued to be delayed,” the report said.
The Defense Department remains “behind schedule” in maintaining fighter jets, the Government Accountability Office found.GAO
The GAO report shows the $100 million each F-35 is capable of completing the mission only 55% of the time.AP
“DOD and the military services have the opportunity to take different paths and chart a reasonable path forward. The readiness of our army depends on it.”
The F-35 has a unique ability to land vertically, allowing pilots to land almost anywhere – including on Navy ships at sea. It’s a feature defense experts say could play a valuable role should a conflict with China erupt in the Western Pacific.
Of the available funds, $1.3 trillion has been allocated to “operate and maintain the aircraft.”
More than 10,000 aircraft were grounded for repairs. Only 450 are currently in place.AFP/Getty Images
The government watchdog visited two depots and all 15 installations for the F-35 before issuing a report Thursday.
The GAO recommended that the Pentagon retain management of all F-35s through October 2027 — and hand over control of the fleet to government contractors.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
