GAO Report Exposes Cracks in F-35's Combat Readiness

A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has raised urgent concerns about the true combat readiness of the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program.

Released in September 2023, the report illuminates a troubling discrepancy between the F-35's advertised capabilities and its potential operational limitations.

Metrics and Misconceptions​

The heart of the problem lies in the Department of Defense's (DoD) definition of "mission capable." While this term might suggest an aircraft is fully combat-ready, the DoD's definition is far less stringent.

An F-35 deemed mission capable may only need to demonstrate the ability to fly and perform a single mission—which could encompass non-combat duties like training or testing.

The GAO report highlights a more crucial metric: "full mission capable." This classification indicates an F-35's ability to execute all its intended combat missions.

The report reveals that the overall F-35 fleet falls drastically short of its program targets, with an estimated full mission capable rate of around 30%. Disturbingly, the situation is even more dire for the Marine Corps' F-35B variant, clocking in at a mere 15.5% full mission capability in March 2023.

Lingering Issues and Feature Creep​

The report underscores persistent challenges within the F-35 program, such as unreliable engines and the detrimental effects of "feature creep." Feature creep, the continuous addition of new functionalities during development, often results in complexities and delays that impede achieving high full mission capable rates.

Furthermore, the GAO report suggests that even when an F-35 achieves limited mission capable status for close air support missions, its design may not be inherently optimized for that demanding role. Experts contend that the F-35's characteristics may hinder its effectiveness in such combat scenarios.

Costly Questions​

The GAO's findings raise severe questions about the F-35 program's ability to live up to its expensive promises.

The F-35's immense cost, coupled with its low full mission capable rates and potential shortcomings for specific combat missions, demands a comprehensive reassessment of the program's true value and combat efficacy.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

If US is facing these issues with its 5th gen platforms, I can only imagine what Su57 and J20 are facing.

 

[sanket]

If US is facing these issues with its 5th gen platforms, I can only imagine what Su57 and J20 are facing.

F-35 is western propaganda ,overhyped stealth fighter havent seen in any combat .Super cruise is Limited due to design. it is best for SEAD & DEAD Mission. But havent seen against Air-Defence system Ukraine must b dreaming about F-35.

 

[Indian1]

High cost, low mission capability and limited combat effectiveness!!! Wonderful. Then what's the use in producing and maintaining this dud?

 

[Indian1]

If US is facing these issues with its 5th gen platforms, I can only imagine what Su57 and J20 are facing.

Don't imagine too much. F 35 is highly complicated jet. When it gets too much complicated it utterly fails. Su 57 is much simpler although it lacks the publicity stunts spread in media.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Don't imagine too much. F 35 is highly complicated jet. When it gets too much complicated it utterly fails. Su 57 is much simpler although it lacks the publicity stunts spread in media.

I dont mean in terms of complexity in jets but that america has unlimited money and solid logistics chain and maintenance apparatus also Over 1000+ F35 have been produced.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

F-35 is western propaganda ,overhyped stealth fighter havent seen in any combat .Super cruise is Limited due to design. it is best for SEAD & DEAD Mission. But havent seen against Air-Defence system Ukraine must b dreaming about F-35.

Israeli F35 are being used in combat in Gaza and vs hezbollah in lebanon. Hezbollah has solid air defence. Also, US may be using them vs houthis in the yemen air strikes.

 

[BCharlie]

I dont mean in terms of complexity in jets but that america has unlimited money and solid logistics chain and maintenance apparatus also Over 1000+ F35 have been produced.

Yes Sir, 1000+ are sold.. actually forced sold to allies and their dollars snatched from them. Its like a new pro sti tute in the ch ak la den. Looks attractive.. so, everybody wants her. When they have it, then they realize it does not do what they want it to do.

 

[Aayush Pratap]

In a combat situation, you would need a robust platform that can perform multiple sorties in a short span with high availability. The F 35, while capable, doesn't check that box.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Yes Sir, 1000+ are sold.. actually forced sold to allies and their dollars snatched from them. Its like a new pro sti tute in the ch ak la den. Looks attractive.. so, everybody wants her. When they have it, then they realize it does not do what they want it to do.

I dont understand the scepticism regarding F35. Like, why is there a perception that it is substandard aircraft, or the US allies are buying it due to some pressure..... When Ukraine war broke out, American NATO allies were clamouring for this aircraft. Germany announced that it would buy dozens of it, when it already has eurofighters and its own 6th gen program. Even singapore has bought it, when it is neither in NATO, nor does it have a mutual defence pact with washington.

 

[BCharlie]

I dont understand the scepticism regarding F35. Like, why is there a perception that it is substandard aircraft, or the US allies are buying it due to some pressure..... When Ukraine war broke out, American NATO allies were clamouring for this aircraft. Germany announced that it would buy dozens of it, when it already has eurofighters and its own 6th gen program. Even singapore has bought it, when it is neither in NATO, nor does it have a mutual defence pact with washington.

Thank you for supporting my point.. its called forced selling. Okay, so let us buy too.; Just see, them crooks called USA will never sell us these top of the line F-35s but in the end when we literally would be crawling, they will sell us the lowly dressed down versions at more than double the price. I'm not against F-35s .. let them be sold to proxy countries of US.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Thank you for supporting my point.. its called forced selling. Okay, so let us buy too.; Just see, them crooks called USA will never sell us these top of the line F-35s but in the end when we literally would be crawling, they will sell us the lowly dressed down versions at more than double the price. I'm not against F-35s .. let them be sold to proxy countries of US.

it is not really forced selling, those countries have options, and they are all rich countries. They think F35 is best aircraft moeny can buy, that is why they are going for it.
But it is true that US uses arms sales as leverage. All countries who have the ability, do so. US knows that it produces some of the best defence products in the world and uses them to coerce other countries to do its bidding.

 

[BCharlie]

it is not really forced selling, those countries have options, and they are all rich countries. They think F35 is best aircraft moeny can buy, that is why they are going for it.
But it is true that US uses arms sales as leverage. All countries who have the ability, do so. US knows that it produces some of the best defence products in the world and uses them to coerce other countries to do its bidding.

I thought we are very rich .. 3rd or 4th rich in the world. Just wait & see when they clutch our money bag.. They will want most of our dollars reserves .. they are Zionist Americans.. thats their DNA. They are like anaconda, wrap around, squeeze & then bite if you don't comply...

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I thought we are very rich .. 3rd or 4th rich in the world. Just wait & see when they clutch our money bag.. They will want most of our dollars reserves .. they are Zionist Americans.. thats their DNA. They are like anaconda, wrap around, squeeze & then bite if you don't comply...

they are superpower, that is how you become a superpower and remain a superpower. I am not an anti semite. I support america because they have supported us against china since last 5 years, and they have also helped our economy.