WASHINGTON - The US F-35 fighter aircraft is only ready to operate around half-time in 2024 due to maintenance issues with Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon watchdog said in a report.
The report, from the Department of Defense Inspector General's Office issued on December 19, said the Department of Defense did not adequately oversee contractor performance on the June 2024 air vehicle maintenance contract.
"Although the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) monitors Lockheed Martin's performance, they do not always hold Lockheed Martin accountable for poor performance related to F-35 maintenance," the report said, according to Anadolu (24/12).
"This happened because the F-35 JPO did not include aircraft readiness performance or other measurable contract requirements and did not enforce the requirements for material inspection and government property reporting in aircraft maintenance contracts," the report continued.
The report states the Pentagon paid Lockheed Martin $1.7 billion without any economic adjustments, even though the jet "did not meet the minimum requirements of the Armed Forces."
The F-35 fighter jet program is the Pentagon's largest acquisition program with an estimated cost of more than $2 trillion to buy, operate, and maintain the F-35 during its service life.
The F-35 Joint Program Office is responsible for the F-35 production and maintenance contracts, as well as maintaining a comprehensive maintenance plan, according to the report.
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