Watchdog reveals F-35’s readiness rates – and they’re not looking good
Airpower
By Hope Seck
January 23, 2025
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All three variants of the relatively new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter have failed to hit readiness targets entirely.
That’s according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a watchdog agency reporting on federal programs. GAO, which assessed all the nation’s tactical aircraft, found that no fighter planes are doing particularly well at meeting annual mission-capable goals – no Navy or Marine Corps platforms hit that target in the last six years – but the report’s data particularly underscores challenges faced by the F-35, despite maintenance and sustainment costs climbing at an unmatched rate.
The report, which covers the years 2018-2023, shows Air Force platforms leading the other services in readiness. The service’s F-15C Eagle and F-16C Fighting Falcon were at the head of the pack, meeting readiness targets in three out of the six years assessed. The F-15C and F-16D each met annual mission capable goals for one out of the six years. Mission-capable rates, according to the report, are defined as the percentage of total time when aircraft can fly and perform at least one mission, versus being sidelined in maintenance or out of commission for other reasons.
https://www.sandboxx.us/news/watchdog-reveals-f-35s-readiness-rates-and-theyre-not-looking-good/
