Program's Two-Year 'Probation' Expected To End Early

Officials of the US Marine Corps, as they did with the Osprey program, are staunchly defending their new F-35B  Joint Strike Fighters against program critics. It's being widely reported that a probationary status imposed in January by former Defense Secretary Robert Gates will be relaxed soon, as issues with the plane have been addressed.

Reuters reports General Joseph Dunford, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, told an investment conference on Wednesday that he's bullish on the aircraft, and says the fighter met 98 percent of its test points this year. Regarding its future he said the F-35 is "...no longer in the cross hairs."

The F-35 program is a big, conspicuous target for would-be federal budget-cutters. The Defense Department will be expected to cut over $450 billion from its budget over the next ten years. The dissatisfaction with delays and cost overruns has made the F-35 a tempting opportunity.

Dunford says the short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities of the F-35B will allow it to operate from short runways and twice as many US warships as predecessors, and that the Marines would rather downsize their force than send go to battle without the proper equipment.

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