Read it and weep.
The good news keeps on coming
http://www.dodbuzz.com/2012/03/20/mo...inty-for-f-35/
F35B probation lift "meaningless"
Software, software, software
Helmet problems that just wont go away
Price inflation for the umptiest time
overall cost now close to 400billion (up from 382)
still design changes expected
testing still at a very low (but steady) pace
rework finished frames 372 million$ on already produced frames payed by government, total = 1 billion$
program now estimates that the number of changes will persist at elevated levels through 2019. Even with the substantial reductions in near-term procurement quantities, DOD is still investing billions of dollars on hundreds of aircraft while flight testing has years to go.
More specifically on the 'B'
While several technical issues have been addressed and some potential solutions engineered, assessing whether the deficiencies are resolved is ongoing and, in some cases, will not be known for years. According to the program office, two of the five specific problems cited are considered to be fixed while the other three have temporary fixes in place. The Director, Operational Test and Evaluation reported that significant work remains to verify and incorporate modifications to correct known STOVL deficiencies and prepare the system for operational use. Until the proposed technical solutions have been fully tested and demonstrated, it cannot be determined if the technical problems have been resolved.
but most remarkable
So it’s another barrage of bad news for the Joint Strike Fighter, although the few House lawmakers who showed up for Tuesday’s brief hearing appeared mostly bored about it. Of the little discussion there was, no one broached cancellation. In fact, their outward lack of interest in the F-35 could be a sign of resignation — an ultimate acceptance that a program this big, this important, can endure almost anything.