In a dynamic where air superiority can dictate the outcome of conflicts, the United States military has reached a critical juncture with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

Drawing parallels to past decisions that compromised U.S. aerial dominance, notably the premature termination of the F-22 Raptor program, experts urge Congress to heed history and bolster the F-35’s production.

The F-22’s sudden cancellation in 2009 after a mere 187 units of the planned 750 left a significant gap in the U.S. Air Force’s ability to maintain air supremacy against emerging threats from major adversaries like Russia.

The F-22’s unmatched stealth capabilities, speed, and agility had placed it at the pinnacle of air combat technology, but fiscal concerns and miscalculations led to its early demise.

Today, the F-35 stands as the cornerstone of U.S. and allied airpower, embodying a quantum leap in undetectability, situational awareness, and rapid targeting.

The aircraft’s prowess has been demonstrated repeatedly, notably since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where allied F-35s have been instrumental in thwarting Russian air defense systems and safeguarding NATO airspace.

Congress is now faced with critical decisions regarding the F-35, as budgetary pressures and software upgrade delays threaten further cuts to the program.

Some in Congress are questioning the fiscal viability of the F-35, prompting Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to defend the program, emphasizing that the F-35 is not merely a “paperweight” but one of the best aircraft in the inventory, despite acknowledgments of affordability and readiness challenges.

The GAO’s concerns over the rising sustainment costs, now projected to exceed $1.5 trillion over the program’s lifespan, and reduced planned use have prompted the Department of Defense to search for cost-reducing measures.

The military has managed to bring down sustainment costs by about $84 billion through various initiatives, even as they plan to extend the aircraft’s service life and reduce flight hours to meet affordability targets.

Historically, America has risen to the challenge of escalating global threats with decisive rearmament, such as the buildup in the late 1930s and the response to the Soviet Union in the early 1980s.

The global threat landscape today is no less severe, and the demand for tactical aircraft remains high across various theaters, including the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.

The F-35, with over 20 nations invested in its advanced capabilities, is the only allied stealth fighter currently in production that can meet the demands of contemporary warfare.

Delays in the crucial Technical Refresh 3 (TR-3) technology upgrades, though frustrating, have not diminished the aircraft’s dominance in the skies.

The Air Force’s current inventory is facing the consequences of an aging tactical aircraft fleet, which has implications on cost, readiness, and survivability. Experts argue that the F-35 program must not be curtailed in a manner that echoes the F-22’s fate, warning that to do so would be to invite aggression.

Relevant articles:
– For F-35, Congress must heed history, Marine Corps Times
– The F-35 Will Now Exceed $2 Trillion As the Military Plans to Fly It Less, gao.gov
– Austin Pushes Back on Lawmaker’s F-35 Criticism: Not a ‘Paperweight’, Air & Space Forces Magazine