Only 50 years ago, the military-industrial complex could--at least--deliver stuff that worked.
...Next month, the Pentagon plans to stop accepting some newly built F-35s as they come off the production line at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility in Texas, in a development first reported by Breaking Defense. The reason given is the immaturity of the TR-3 hardware. Instead of being delivered to their units, “dozens” of the jets will be stored, temporarily, at Fort Worth. It could take until spring 2024 before issues with TR-3 are ironed out and the jets can finally be handed over.
The first production jets with TR-3 began to take shape in February and these airframes are expected to be completed before the end of July.
The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) confirmed to Defense News that the TR-3 delays mean that newly built fighters will be stored in the meantime.
“Starting later this summer, F-35 aircraft coming off the production line with TR-3 hardware will not be accepted until relevant combat capability is validated in accordance with our users’ expectations,” JPO spokesman Russ Goemaere said. “The JPO and Lockheed Martin will ensure these aircraft are safely and securely stored until [acceptance] occurs.”...
Cost of the jets? Between $78 million and $115 million, depending on which branch's config is being quoted.
Cost to FLY the damn things? Between $8 million and $10 million.
Of course, that's only after "acceptance" of the jets. While in storage barns, they don't cost much to fly.
Thanks, Mike Pompeo!!
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