Your F-35 Clusterf%$# Update

The big news is that, notwithstanding the assertions of the Pentagon and Lockheed-Martin, delays continue apace, with the Pentagon Comptroller saying that the aircraft purchase will have to be cut if the cost continues to escalate, (File that under, "Well, Duh!") as well as concerns that the 13-month schedule slip is overly optimistic.

It should be noted that this is confirmed by reports in the Startlegram^*, which, being the home town paper for the F-35 assembly line, is both in a position to be in the know, and not inclined to come out against Fort Worth's biggest employer.

We also have Bill Sweetman noticing in the DOD press release that full rate production is delayed to 2016, about a year after where it would start with the claimed 13-month slip.

We are also seeing reports that the Israeli Air Force is extremely concerned about the delays.

You can see a report of the bald-faced lying by Lockheed and the Pentagon, where they claim that everything is hunky dory, but it makes one inclined to invoke Samuel L. Jackson from Pulp Fiction, "Does Marsellus Wallace look like," because they are seriously f%$#ing with us.

We also have non-movement, basically heat but no light on the F136 alternate engine, with the Defense Department releasing a report saying that adding a 2^nd engine was "cost neutral," only the study did not address the value of:

• Hedging risks.
• Greater responsiveness from contractors as a result of competition.
• Providing alternate growth paths.
• Industrial base preservation.
• Potential for innovation from a 2^nd contractor.

The DoD wants to cancel the F136 because they want the plane in deployment before Congress realizes how expensive it is.

Another interesting note is that the Memorandum of Agreement specifically allows participating nations to choose the F136 engine.

One should note that the Pentagon's estimate of development costs are twice that of GE/Rolls Royce's, and this has led the Chairman and leadership of the House Armed Services Committee to call bullsh%$ on the report.

^*The Fort Worth Star Telegram.