F-35 Readiness Impacted by Maintenance and Delays, GAO Report Finds.
OAN’s Taylor Tinsley
12:27 PM – Thursday, September 21, 2023
A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that F-35 aircrafts are facing significant maintenance challenges.
The report, released on Thursday, shows that the F-35 fleet’s mission capable rate fell far below program goals, reaching only 55%.
These challenges in maintenance were primarily due to organizational issues, including a lack of technical data and training, resulting in slow repair times.
As of March 2023, the Department of Defense (DOD) had to send back 73% of all F-35 components to manufacturers.
The GAO highlighted that the DOD relies heavily on its contractor for F-35 sustainment but has neglected its necessary duties as the department “seeks expanded government control.”
The agency emphasized that military services must take over and make adjustments to contractor-managed elements by October 2027.
This audit comes shortly after a Marine Corps pilot had to eject from a fighter jet due to a malfunction. The military was seeking the public’s help in locating the missing $100 million warplane.
The marine stealth fighter jet remained missing for over 24 hours until officials found debris in a field about 60 miles away from the ejection site in rural South Carolina, near Charleston.
The military has not yet disclosed the specific malfunction that led to the pilot’s ejection, raising questions about their inability to locate the aircraft.
In an interview with CBS, Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) expressed her concerns, stating, “How does it just disappear and how does the Pentagon ask for the public’s help in finding it? It’s just a huge embarrassment.”
Officials explained that the difficulty in finding the aircraft was not only due to its stealth capabilities but also because the transponder was turned off.
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What are the main challenges and issues within the F-35 program that are impacting maintenance and repair operations?
The military lost a $100 million plane in my backyard is beyond me. This is a serious security issue that needs to be addressed immediately.”
The GAO report also addressed other issues within the F-35 program, including supply chain management problems and inadequate spare parts availability. These challenges have led to increased costs and delays in maintenance and repair operations.
According to the report, the DOD plans to invest an additional $6.9 billion in F-35 sustainment over the next five years. However, without proper implementation of effective maintenance practices, this investment may not yield the desired results.
The GAO recommended that the DOD improve its oversight and management of the F-35 sustainment program to address the maintenance challenges. This includes establishing clear performance objectives, implementing more rigorous quality control measures, and enhancing communication and coordination between the DOD and its contractors.
Furthermore, the report emphasized the need for the DOD to diversify its sources for sustainment support. Relying solely on a single contractor for such a critical program puts the military at risk of facing significant disruptions if any issues arise.
In response to the report, the DOD stated that it is committed to addressing the maintenance challenges and improving the mission capable rate of the F-35 fleet. It highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance the supply chain, increase the availability of spare parts, and improve collaboration with its contractors.
However, the DOD also acknowledged that significant work remains to be done to fully address the issues outlined in the GAO report.
As the U.S. continues to rely on the F-35 as a critical component of its military capabilities, it is crucial that the maintenance challenges are effectively resolved. The success of the program not only depends on the aircraft’s performance in combat but also on its reliability and availability for missions.
Addressing the organizational issues, lack of technical data and
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