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The scope of the Pentagon’s modernization plans for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft will be reduced amid ongoing cost overruns and schedule delays, according to a recent report from a congressional watchdog.
The report focused on the Block 4 program, a major modernization effort involving over 75 enhancements to improve the fighter’s weapon capabilities, sensors, electronic warfare and networking.
Its costs are now more than $6 billion than original estimates and the completion date is five years later than originally anticipated.
The Pentagon is redefining the Block 4 subprogram and scaling back on some capabilities that were part of the original plan for Block 4, the Government Accountability Office said in its report, “F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: Actions Needed to Address Late Deliveries and Improve Future Development.”
“According to program officials, the new Block 4 major subprogram will have fewer capabilities, will experience schedule delays, and will have unknown costs until the program office finishes developing its cost estimate,” the GAO stated.
Currently, the estimated costs for the refined Block 4 subprogram are currently unknown. A new cost estimate is planned for later this year.
Additionally, there are the costs to maintain and sustain the F-35 fleet through its 77-year life cycle, which is at least $1.58 trillion. That increases the total cost to more than $2 trillion, according to GAO.
“The F-35 remains critical to our national defense, as well as that of our partners and allies, and is expected to retain critical roles for decades to come,” the report said. “After nearly 20 years of aircraft production, however, the F-35 program continues to overpromise and underdeliver.”
The schedule delays were due partly to Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney, the program’s contractors, continuing to deliver aircraft and engines late.
In 2024, Lockheed delivered 110 aircraft, yet all were late by an average of 238 days, per GAO. Similarly, Pratt & Whitney delivered all 123 engines late in 2024, due to supply chain issues.
The primary driver of the delays was Lockheed Martin’s Technology Refresh 3, software and hardware upgrades critical to Block 4. Originally scheduled for April 2023, the expected delivery of the TR-3 hardware and software is now 2026 — about 3 years behind schedule.
Despite late deliveries, the F-35 program office continued to compensate Lockheed Martin “with hundreds of millions of dollars of performance incentive fees while the percentage of aircraft delivered late and the average days late grew,” GAO reported.
Air National Guard wings in Alabama, Vermont and Wisconsin operate the F-35A. A Florida Guard fighter unit (pictured, above) started receiving the stealth fighter this year. Guard wings in Massachusetts and Oregon are in Air Force fielding plans for the aircraft.
GAO made six recommendations to the F-35 program office, including evaluating the production capacity of Lockheed Martin to meet the planned delivery quantities on time; reevaluate the use of contractor incentive fees; and ensure that the F-35 program’s Block 4 and EPM major subprograms expand the use of the leading practices for product development.
—By Jennifer Hickey
