Recent reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveal that the F-35 fighter jet program, managed by Lockheed Martin, is experiencing escalating costs and declining operational efficiency. The program's lifetime operational and maintenance costs are now projected to exceed $2 trillion, marking a 44% increase from the $1.1 trillion estimated in 2018. This increase is adjusted for inflation and extends through the year 2088. Despite the rising costs, the U.S. Air Force and Navy are reducing the frequency of flights for the F-35 to manage expenses. The program has been criticized for its high costs and lower-than-expected performance levels, with less than a third of the aircraft built being operationally capable.
Expensive and poor quality - the F-35 program will exceed $2 trillion, but will not solve the problems of fighters The F-35 program will cost the US more than $2 trillion, cementing its place as one of the most expensive weapons programs in US history. Responsible Statecraft… https://t.co/hsjvmTUh3P
The F-35 fighter jet program will cost taxpayers more than $2 trillion over its lifetime, cementing its place as one of the most expensive weapons programs in U.S. history. More from @connor_echols: https://t.co/970wLdCWCV
BREAKING: U.S. Air Force Secretary ADMITS that less than a third of F-35s built by Lockheed Martin are operationally capable! The Pentagon has given too much power to the defense contractors that are bilking American taxpayers. It’s not going to get better unless we demand… https://t.co/LCUD8OS4yt
NEW @connor_echols : The F-35 which has had so many operational problems and test failures that one ex-Pentagon official called it a 'piece of sh*t' is now going to cost US taxpayers $2 trillion. https://t.co/970wLdDust
The F-35 program will now cost more than $2 trillion. That eye-popping price tag has not fixed the maintenance issues plaguing the program, a government watchdog says. My latest in @RStatecraft https://t.co/Y0Stkf9Ngc
The Defense Department projects that operation and maintenance costs through 2088 for the Lockheed Martin-built F-35 will be $1.58 trillion, a 44% increase from the 2018 estimates, the Government Accountability Office said Monday. https://t.co/cp5A14FW4h
F-35 Lightning program’s cost keeps rocketing — to over $1.5 trillion https://t.co/tC7tFxb2sd https://t.co/JmY6rH3n8J
The estimated lifetime cost to operate and maintain the Pentagon’s F-35s just took a big jump, even though the U.S. military is flying the jet less. Read the story by @audrey_decker9 https://t.co/lP59YilMdz
The F-35 Lightning II is already the world's most expensive weapons program. And it's hardly leveling off. According to a government watchdog, projected costs for sustaining the jet fighter are rising even as the military cuts the number of available... https://t.co/0Msuk6OYL2
The F-35 program is costing more and doing less, GAO says | Total sustainment costs are now expected to top $1.5 trillion, even as the jet’s mission-readiness declines. https://t.co/lP59YilMdz
F-35s to cost $2 trillion as Pentagon plans longer use, says watchdog https://t.co/FEcavSAiSY
F-35 Sustainment: Costs Continue to Rise While Planned Use and Availability Have Decreased - The F-35 Lightning II's sustainment costs are rising as its planned use and availability decline. · Sustainment cost estimates for the F-35 have jumped 44% from $1.1 trillion in 2018 to… https://t.co/X1ykhygoGf
F-35 program’s lifetime price tag tops $2 trillion, Pentagon wants jets to fly longer https://t.co/BQIvONBzEj
New GAO report dropped for the F-35 🧵 1/ The estimated lifetime sustainmnt cost for F-35 increased by 44% in 2023 compared to the estimate done in 2018. The estimate is inflation adjusted and is in the years dollar. As of FY-23, the services plans to use the F-35 through 2088.. https://t.co/zZ8WWGz5vT
A new GAO report today finds that the F-35 fighter jet continues to cost more and do less. Costs have risen 44 percent in the past five years, now $1.5 trillion. Air Force and Navy are now trying to save money by simply flying the plane less. https://t.co/YP2IoMwTrF https://t.co/08p7vBEdiJ
The world’s costliest weapons program, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet, is getting even more expensive https://t.co/BqBiZPuFNc