After years of anticipation and development hurdles, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter heralded as the future of military aviation, has finally been given the green light for full-rate production.

Yet, even as the F-35 program hits this significant stride, it grapples with a series of challenges that raise questions about readiness, costs, and future capabilities.

The full-rate production approval marks a critical juncture for the F-35, a program that has been operating close to capacity for years. This step allows for multiyear contract negotiations, signaling a move towards a more stable and efficient production rate of about 156 aircraft per year over the next five years.

The Pentagon has hailed this as a testament to the program’s stability and agility, with the Joint Program Office now able to shift its focus from past struggles to future improvements in sustainability, interoperability, and lethality.

Despite this advancement, the F-35 program continues to face operational and fiscal headwinds. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealed a backlog of upgraded F-35s that could take a year to clear due to delays with the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrade, essential for supporting a slew of planned enhancements.

Moreover, Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor, is confronted with parking space shortages for undelivered jets, a challenge compounded by the uncertainty of further TR-3 delays.

Lockheed Martin has affirmed its commitment to TR-3 as a top priority, stating, “We continue to partner with the Joint Program Office (JPO) and our F-35 industry partners to address GAO recommendations as appropriate.” Meanwhile, the JPO remains steadfast in its goal to deliver combat-ready F-35s, with the first opportunity to potentially start accepting aircraft earmarked for late July.

Broader production issues also loom, affecting both engine and aircraft deliveries. Pratt & Whitney, the engine manufacturer, has faced delays, although a buffer pool of powerplants has prevented significant impacts on production. “The majority of F135 delivery delays are driven by industry-wide labor challenges and raw material constraints,” a Pratt spokesperson noted, emphasizing that readiness levels have not been negatively impacted.

However, the program’s sprawling scope, including a dual upgrade for the F-35’s engine and a separate cooling apparatus known as the Power and Thermal Management System (PTMS), suggests potential delays for future combat capabilities. Military officials predict a new PTMS solution by 2032, a delay that could stall the arrival of these capabilities.

While the F-35 has finally achieved full-rate production, the path ahead is fraught with complexities. The GAO underscores the pressing need for the Pentagon to get a firmer grasp on the F-35’s sustainment strategy, manage and move spare parts efficiently, and reassess responsibilities for various aspects of the program’s maintenance.

The overarching goal is to address the F-35’s growing operational and sustainment costs, which have soared to an estimated $1.5 trillion over the jet’s lifespan, up 44% since 2018.

The House Armed Services Committee on Monday revealed that House authorizers would move to trim 10 F-35s from the Pentagon’s fiscal 2025 budget request and fence off funding for another 10 jets, steps that committee staff told reporters are aimed at stabilizing the long-troubled program.

The committee’s actions aim to stabilize the program, with Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Rob Wittman expressing an urgent need for solutions.

“I’m not looking in any way, shape, or form to re-litigate how we got here, where to place blame. I don’t care. At this point, I don’t care,” an exasperated Wittman said.

The F-35 remains a powerful asset for the U.S. and its allies, but its ultimate success hinges on overcoming the hurdles that have marred its trajectory thus far.

Relevant articles:
– 35s could take a year to clear: GAO, Breaking Defense
– At Last: After 23 Years, F-35 Enters Full-Rate Production, airandspaceforces.com
– The F-35 program is costing more and doing less, GAO says, Defense One
– F-35 Aircraft Sustainment: DOD Needs to Address Substantial Supply Chain Challenges, Government Accountability Office (.gov)