GAO raises serious doubts about the F35 and its future funding.
Higher prizes, less frames.
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GAO: DOD Should Draft Plans For Reduced JSF Funding
The Defense Department should draft contingency plans for the Joint Strike Fighter program that anticipate lower annual funding levels and account for how reduced spending will impact the aircraft's cost and the program's development and procurement schedule, according to the Government Accountability Office.
better link
http://www.dodbuzz.com/2012/06/15/f-35-by-the-numbers/
worth the read.
And defense cuts worries because of likely sequestration starting beginning of 2013.
No good news for the future production volumes of the F35, I think.
Additional defense cuts could impact war funding – CNN Security Clearance - CNN.com Blogs
And as far as testing goes, all not seems to be going as well as LM is claiming.
GAO'S Latest F-35 Report; 2011 Performance 'Mixed'
"Overall performance in 2011 was mixed as the program achieved 6 of 11 important objectives. Developmental flight testing gained momentum and is now about 21 percent complete with the most challenging tasks still ahead. Performance of the short takeoff and vertical landing variant improved this year and its "probation" period to fix deficiencies was ended after 1 year with several fixes temporary and untested. Developing and integrating the more than 24 million lines of software code continues to be of concern. Late software releases and concurrent work on multiple software blocks have delayed testing and training. Development of critical mission systems providing core combat capabilities remains behind schedule and risky."
Perhaps the most damning statistic about the program: "Since 2002, the total quantity through 2017 has been reduced by three-fourths, from 1,591 to 365."