8 June 2024

F-35s are piling up on Lockheed tarmacs, presenting ‘unique’ risks to the Pentagon

AUDREY DECKER

The Pentagon has refused delivery of so many F-35s that Lockheed Martin is running out of places to put them, according to a new report from a government watchdog agency.

Last July, the government stopped accepting new F-35s because of hardware and software delays with Technology Refresh-3, a $1.8-billion effort to enable new capabilities for the jet.

The number of jets accumulating outside Lockheed's plant is “grossly delinquent,” Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., chairman of the House Armed Services tactical air and land forces subcommittee, told reporters Wednesday.

“We know one thing for certain: it's going to be at least over 100 aircraft stacked up on the tarmac,” Wittman said.

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