F-35 behind schedule, over budget

The F-35 joint strike fighter program is far behind schedule and over budget. A milestone test flight was competed on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009.

Follow up:

The Defense Contract Management Agency reported that Lockheed and other contractors are months late on deliveries of test airplanes and components for future aircraft production. The program is also behind on testing. Reports indicate that Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor, may exhaust the development budget within a year.

• A recent Pentagon assessment indicates F-35 development will require two more years and billions of additional dollars.

• Production of test aircraft is running about six months behind.

• Only seven of 13 test planes have been completed. All 13 were to have been completed and delivered for testing by early October. Only four have been flown.

• Lockheed Martin has had significant difficulty assembling the wing and major components.

• Suppliers are late delivering finished parts and components

• F-35 flight testing is far behind schedule. The program is due to complete 441 test flights by year's end; 128 have been flown.

Pratt & Whitney, which is developing the main engine, also has had cost overruns.