The U.S. Air Force is facing scrutiny over the F-35 program, with concerns raised about the aircraft's reliability and operational capability. Representative Matt Gaetz questions the Air Force Secretary on the number of fully operationally capable F-35s, highlighting issues with defense contractors and wasteful spending. The program's effectiveness is under scrutiny as it falls short of the Air Force's target for operational readiness. Critics point out that Lockheed Martin has significant control over the F-35 program, leading to inefficiencies and high costs.
WAR: The US has only 200 mission capable F-35s spread across the globe. For example we’re out gunned in China/Taiwan by Chinese 5th generation fighters. https://t.co/52th19Km7k
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
🇺🇸The US Air Force is paying $90,000 for a bag of Bushings that normally costs well under $100 Pretty insane how the taxpayer is ripped off by the MIC. https://t.co/lwLjKHMGF2
WATCH: U.S. Air Force Secretary ADMITS Less than Third of Lockheed’s F-35s Operationally Capable! https://t.co/UxS6FaGxOi
Every year, the U.S. government loses over $233 BILLION of your dollars to fraud. That’s more than the budget of the United States Air Force or the Army! This is the kind of wasteful spending Washington doesn’t want you to know about, but I’m fighting to stop. https://t.co/wedtzpVnhq
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
REP. WALTZ: “How much do you think the Air Force pays for this bag of bushings?” AIR FORCE SEC. KENDALL: “I don't know.” REP. WALTZ: “$90,000” https://t.co/JijAh8eXhk
Watch this exchange with the top leaders in the US Air Force and tell me whether you think the F-35 is savable https://t.co/MYHd7KlxXX
🇺🇸‼️🚨 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
A $90,000 bag of bushings courtesy of the DOD. Typical of American government waste and fraud. https://t.co/ERKDHN0pnd
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
“Yet (the Pentagon) plans to fly the F-35 less than originally estimated, partly because of reliability issues with the aircraft,” the GAO said in its study. https://t.co/cp5A14FW4h