WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Defense (DoD) made a landmark announcement on Tuesday, formally approving full-rate production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The long-anticipated decision, known as Milestone C, represents a major achievement for the ambitious defense program.
William LaPlante, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, authorized the move after the Defense Acquisition Board, which he chairs, met on March 7th. The board thoroughly evaluated the F-35's readiness for full-scale production.
LaPlante underscored the decision's importance, calling it "a major achievement for the F-35 program." He further noted, “This decision — supported by my colleagues in the department — underscores to the services, F-35 cooperative program partners, and foreign military sales customers the stability and agility of the F-35, as well as the fulfillment of all statutory and regulatory requirements.”
The approval for full-rate production indicates confidence in the maturity of the F-35 program, a multi-role stealth fighter jet intended to replace aging aircraft across various branches of the US military. It highlights years of rigorous testing, evaluation, and development to ensure the aircraft meets demanding performance requirements for the US and its allies.
The F-35 is poised to remain a key element in enhancing air combat and multi-mission capabilities for the United States and its partners around the globe. This milestone affirms the commitment to providing advanced and reliable aircraft that underpin national security strategies.
With the green light for full-rate production, the emphasis now turns to increasing output to satisfy the demands of both US forces and international customers. The F-35's proven performance, coupled with its ongoing upgrades, solidifies its position as an indispensable asset in modern military aviation, ready to meet the evolving threats of the future.
