Air Force Secretary faced scrutiny from Rep. Matt Gaetz over the low number of fully operationally capable F-35s, with concerns raised about defense contractors' influence on the program. Reports indicate that less than a third of F-35s built by Lockheed Martin are operationally capable, falling short of Air Force targets. The program's effectiveness is questioned as the average F-35A was only in flying shape about 52% of the time in 2023, far below the 90% target. Elon Musk also expressed concern over the low mission capability of the F-35s, highlighting the issue's significance.
Concerning that less than 1/3 of F-35s, the most advanced US fighter are fully mission capable https://t.co/uBPngBLBFq
I'm no fan of Gaetz, but he gets right to the heart of the matter in this fascinating exchange: Only 29 percent of our punishingly-expensive F-35s are fully mission capable because of Lockheed Martin control. "The tail is wagging the dog." https://t.co/DYSMSvieNG
Air Force chief admits to Matt Gaetz Lockheed Martin basically controls F-35 fighter jet program https://t.co/pbxTRbxWXu
WATCH: U.S. Air Force Secretary ADMITS Less than Third of Lockheed’s F-35s Operationally Capable! https://t.co/UxS6FaGxOi
The F-35 program is getting more expensive and less effective: In 2023, the average F-35A was only in flying shape about 52% of the time — far short of the 90% target set by the Air Force. 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 defense contractors are milking the American taxpayers without even fulfilling their purpose. https://t.co/YQbFHN9CSS
Matt Gaetz grills Air Force secretary: "The Pentagon has given too much power to the defense contractors that are bilking American taxpayers." https://t.co/sG6A3fxbCZ
“Is that a good number or a bad number?” @RepMattGaetz grills Air Force Secretary over “failing” number of mission capable F-35s https://t.co/zG5hSJ6qjG
.@RepMattGaetz grills Air Force Secretary over “failing” number of fully operationally capable F-35s https://t.co/zG5hSJ6qjG