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Congressional investigators recommend F-35 funding slow down
March 15, 2006 (by
Jeff Hollenbeck) -
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended slowing funding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter due to "signifigant developmental risk" and the likelyhood of cost and scheduling overruns.
Concerns over the maturity of the design of the aircraft prompted the GAO to recommend delaying funding for production and production capability until after the three different versions have been proven in flight testing. According to published reports, low rate initial production is scheduled to begin in 2007, flight testing of production representative prototypes in 2009, and testing of a fully configured aircraft should begin in 2011.
Lockheed Martin, the aircraft's manufacturer, and the Pentagon have expressed their confidence in the design and technology being used in the F-35.
The F-35 program is worth approximately $256 billion for the 2,593 aircraft slated for purchase by the U.S. and Great Britain alone. Other countries involved in the project include Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway.
The first part for the first F-35 JSF aircraft was cut on 10 November 2003. Since then, thousands of parts have been coming together as the team works to complete the first F-35. [USAF Photo]
Lockheed Martin, the aircraft's manufacturer, and the Pentagon have expressed their confidence in the design and technology being used in the F-35.
The F-35 program is worth approximately $256 billion for the 2,593 aircraft slated for purchase by the U.S. and Great Britain alone. Other countries involved in the project include Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway.
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