US Military Needs $13.7 Billion for F-35 Readiness by 2031, GAO Says
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 11
US Military Needs $13.7 Billion for F-35 Readiness by 2031, GAO Says
1 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 11
Summary
$13.7 billion in added spending through 2031 is needed by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps to reverse declining F-35 readiness rates, according to a GAO report released Thursday.
More than half of that total would go to spare parts, which the Pentagon says are essential to raise the share of aircraft able to complete missions.
The new funding request also targets the program's heavy reliance on contractors, including Lockheed Martin, as the Pentagon tries to improve sustainment of the fighter fleet.
The finding underscores mounting support-cost pressure on the F-35, the world's biggest weapons program, as the military seeks to keep more jets mission-capable.