Pentagon Report Exposes F-35 Failures: Reliability, Stealth, and Weaponry Under Scrutiny
A declassified Pentagon report on the F-35 fighter jet, the most expensive weapons program in U.S. history, highlights severe shortcomings in combat readiness and reliability after six years of testing. Issues include frequent maintenance delays, malfunctioning weaponry, and unresolved vulnerabilities in cyber defense.
The U.S. Director of Operational Test and Evaluation stated in a redacted version of the February report that "the overall reliability, maintainability, and availability of the U.S. fleet remains below service expectations." The document was obtained by the Washington-based Project on Government Oversight (POGO) through a Freedom of Information Act request and is set to be released on Thursday.
According to POGO’s Defense Information Director, Greg Williams, the report reveals significant flaws that could prompt the Trump administration to demand a full review of the program. Williams noted, "After 18 years, the F-35 remains plagued by maintenance issues, unreliable stealth capabilities, and guns that fail to shoot accurately."
The report underscores the challenges facing the U.S. military as it struggles to justify the immense costs of a project that has yet to meet operational expectations.