Joint Estimate Team Predicts JSF Reach Full Production Before 2016

A joint service panel formed to make an independent assessment of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter development process says the program has fallen 2 years behind, even while the fate of the F-22 Raptor is being hotly debated on Capitol Hill.

Some Senator and their aides who favor building more F-22's say the Pentagon committee's report should have been released during the F-22 debate. They say the Pentagon should be more forthcoming about problems with the F-35. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morell says the first production aircraft should be completed on time, but that it's still unclear if full production can ramp up on schedule. He said the report was not suppressed by the Pentagon. He said the JET report has been "dredged up" by supporters of funding for additional F-22 Raptors.

Congressional Quarterly is reporting that the Joint Estimate Team (JET) has determined that the F-35 won't be in full production until 2016. Original estimates had been that it would be ready 2 years earlier. The Government Accounting Office says the delay will cost taxpayers an additional $7.4 billion. The Pentagon would like to try to accelerate the program, but GAO cautions that could up the price tag another $33.4 billion.

Experts told CQ that the efforts to kill funding for 5 more Raptors, which was stripped from the Senate Defense Bill this week, would have been hurt by the JET report.

CQ reports that the delay could affect the air fleets of all the services because it is intended to replace the F-15, F-16, and F/A-18. News of the delay will likely have some bearing on the debate over funding for the F-22, which is still in the Defense appropriations bill under consideration in the House.

FMI: www.dod.gov