https://www.key.aero/article/almost-hal ... ogged_in=1A report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that delays in establishing service centres, a lack of trained maintainers and a shortage of parts mean that only 55% of the force is operational at any one time.
The Department of Defense (DOD) plans to spend an estimated $1.7 trillion on nearly 2,500 F-35s. Most of the funds will go to operating, maintaining, and repairing the aircraft which will be operated by the USAF, US Navy, and US Marine Corps, as well as the Air National Guard and other reserve forces.
In its findings the report highlighted: “DOD faces costly maintenance issues for the F-35, such as: Delays setting up military service depots—facilities to complete the most complex repairs; Inadequate equipment to keep aircraft operational; Maintenance and supply delays affecting aircraft readiness.
“Maintenance challenges negatively affect F-35 aircraft readiness. The F-35 fleet mission capable rate—the percentage of time the aircraft can perform one of its tasked missions—was about 55 percent in March 2023, far below program goals. This performance was due in part to challenges with depot and organizational maintenance.
“The program was behind schedule in establishing depot maintenance activities to conduct repairs. As a result, component repair times remained slow with over 10,000 waiting to be repaired—above desired levels. At the same time, organizational-level maintenance has been affected by a number of issues, including a lack of technical data and training.”
The report also said that DOD relies heavily on its contractor to lead and manage F-35 sustainment. However, as DOD seeks expanded government control, it has neither determined the desired mix of government and contractor roles, nor identified and obtained the technical data needed to support its desired mix.
The report adds: “The military services must take over management of F-35 sustainment by October 2027 and have an opportunity to make adjustments—specifically to the contractor-managed elements. Reassessing its approach could help DOD address its maintenance challenges and reduce costs.”
The F-35 aircraft, with its advanced capabilities, represents a growing portion of DOD's tactical aviation fleet—with about 450 of the aircraft delivered so far. Under the DOD’s overall $1.7 trillion budget for 2,500 F-35s, $1.3 trillion will be associated with operating and sustaining the aircraft.
As a result of the investigation the GAO has made a series of recommendations, including ending the use of private contractors, speeding up the construction of service centres and increasing training of maintenance personnel.
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