F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: Slower Than Expected Progress in Software Testing May Limit Initial Warfighting Capabilities

Abstract : Thank you for the opportunity to discuss our work on the F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). With estimated acquisition costs approaching $400 billion, the F-35 is the Department of Defense s (DOD) most costly and ambitious acquisition program. The program is developing and fielding a family of next generation fighter aircraft, incorporating low observable (stealth) technologies as well as advanced sensors and computer networking capabilities for the United States Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps as well as eight international partners.1 As we have reported in the past, DOD began the F-35 acquisition program in October 2001 without adequate knowledge about the aircraft s critical technologies or its design. The F-35 family is comprised of three aircraft variants: (1) a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, (2) a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant, and (3) a carrier-suitable variant (CV). The F-35 is integral to U.S. and partner plans to replace existing fighter aircraft and support future combat operations. According to current plans, the U.S. portion of the program will require annual acquisition funding of more than $12 billion on average through 2037 to complete development and procure a total of 2,457 aircraft. In addition, the F-35 fleet is estimated to cost around $1 trillion to operate and support over its lifetime. In a time of austere federal budgets, cost projections of this magnitude pose significant fiscal challenges.