F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: Restructuring Has Improved the Program, but Affordability Challenges and Other Risks Remain

Abstract : The F-35 Lightning II, the Joint Strike Fighter, is DoD's most costly and ambitious aircraft acquisition. The program is developing and fielding three aircraft variants for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and eight international partners. The F-35 is critical to long-term recapitalization plans as it is intended to replace hundreds of existing aircraft. This will require a long-term sustained funding commitment. Total U.S. investment is nearing $400 billion to develop and procure 2,457 aircraft through 2037. Fifty-two aircraft have been delivered through 2012. The F-35 program has been extensively restructured over the last 3 years to address prior cost, schedule, and performance problems. DoD approved a new acquisition program baseline in March 2012. This testimony is largely based on GAO's recently released report, GAO-13-309. The testimony discusses the following: (1) progress the F-35 program made in 2012, and (2) major risks that the program faces going forward. GAO's work included analyses of a wide range of program documents and interviews with defense and contractor officials. GAO's prior reviews of the F-35 program made numerous recommendations to help reduce risk and improve outcomes. DoD has implemented those recommendations to varying degrees.