F-35’s Image as $428 Billion Bundle of Flaws Improved by Fixes
- Top dangers to pilots resolved as are 90% of top mission risks
- GAO analyst says Pentagon focused on what most needed fixing
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The F-35 fighter jet is starting to outlive its reputation as a $428 billion bundle of flawed hardware and buggy software: Lockheed Martin Corp. and the military have eliminated all of the deficiencies believed to endanger pilots and about 90% of other serious flaws that could hamper missions.
That’s down from 111 “Category 1” safety-of-flight and mission-impeding deficiencies in January 2018, according to Defense Department data compiled by the Government Accountability Office.