From the U.S. Government Accountability Office, www.gao.gov

Transcript for: Challenges to F-35 Mission Readiness 

Description: In the coming decades, the Department of Defense plans to
spend an estimated $1.7 trillion on nearly 2,500 F-35s. Most of the
funds will go to operating, maintaining, and repairing the aircraft.

DOD faces costly maintenance issues for the F-35, such as:

    - Delays setting up military service depots--facilities to
      complete the most complex repairs

    - Inadequate equipment to keep aircraft operational

    - Maintenance and supply delays affecting aircraft readiness

Also, while DOD intends to transition more maintenance responsibilities
from contractors to the government, it doesn't have a plan to achieve
this goal.
 
Our recommendations address these issues.

Related GAO Works: GAO-23-105341, F-35 Aircraft: DOD and the Military
Services Need to Reassess the Future Sustainment Strategy

Released: September 2023

[Start]

The F-35 is the military's most advanced fighter jet.  
   
DOD has 450 F-35s and plans to purchase about 2,000 more at a total cost
landing around $1.7 trillion.  
   
However, DOD is struggling to maintain and operate its current fleet of
F-35s.  
   
DOD's F-35s are only ready for missions about 53% of the time.  Far
below program goals.  Those goals are more than 80%.  
   
To get there, several challenges need to be addressed.  
   
For example, DOD's maintenance depots are behind schedule and those
responsible for maintaining the aircraft frequently don't have the spare
parts or equipment, need greater access to technical data, and require
more adequate maintenance-related training. DOD also needs to revisit
the division of responsibility between the private contractors and
military personnel who work together to maintain the aircraft. 

Find out more, at GAO.gov

[ End ]

For more info, check out our report GAO-23-105341 at: GAO.gov