Lockheed’s F-35 Deals Barred Until Air Force Vouches for Fixes
- Secretary must certify improvements will come within 2 years
- Company has spent $1 billion as contract negotiations drag on
F-35
Photographer: Simon Dawson/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
As negotiations drag on over Lockheed Martin Corp.’s biggest U.S. contracts yet to build F-35 jets, one potential impediment hasn’t attracted public attention: a congressional requirement that the Air Force secretary certify the fighter will be in top shape within two years.
Lawmakers withheld $1 billion of about $5.3 billion the service requested for F-35s this year until the certification is made. The Air Force is the biggest buyer among the military services of the 2,443 aircraft planned for the U.S.