It’s time for Americans to recognize that the F-35 fifth-generation fighter jet program is a complete failure, writes expert Dan Grazer in Responsible Statecraft. The already deployed planes have shown alarming unreliability.
The F-35 program was first initiated in 2001 with the goal of creating a versatile, stealthy, and highly advanced fighter jet for the United States and its allies. It was meant to replace older aircrafts like the F-16 and F/A-18, and to be used by all branches of the military. However, after almost two decades and over $1.7 trillion spent, the F-35 has not lived up to its promises.
One of the major issues with the F-35 is its lack of reliability. According to a report by the Pentagon’s testing office, the F-35 has only achieved a 60% mission-capable rate, which is well below the target of 80%. This means that out of every ten F-35s, only six are able to perform their intended missions. This is a major concern, especially in times of conflict when the military needs all of its equipment to be operational.
Furthermore, the F-35 has also faced numerous technical problems. From issues with its software to malfunctioning weapons systems, the F-35 has been plagued with problems that have delayed its development and deployment. In fact, the Pentagon’s testing office has identified over 800 deficiencies in the F-35, some of which are critical to the plane’s performance.
But the most alarming aspect of the F-35 program is its cost. As mentioned earlier, the program has already cost over $1.7 trillion, and that number is expected to rise. This makes the F-35 the most expensive weapons program in history. And to make matters worse, the high cost of maintenance and repairs for the F-35 will continue to burden the military’s budget for years to come.
Despite all of these issues, the F-35 program continues to receive support from the government and the military. This is due to the powerful lobbying efforts of defense contractors, who stand to gain billions of dollars from the program. But it’s time for our leaders to put the interests of the country above their own financial gain and recognize that the F-35 program is a failure.
So what’s the solution? It’s time to consider alternatives to the F-35. The military could invest in upgrading and modernizing existing aircrafts like the F-16 and F/A-18, which have proven to be reliable and effective. This would save billions of dollars and provide the military with capable planes that are already in service.
In addition, the military could also invest in developing new, innovative technologies that could potentially surpass the capabilities of the F-35. This would not only benefit the military, but also the American economy by creating new jobs and industries.
It’s time for Americans to demand accountability from their leaders and recognize that the F-35 program is a complete failure. We cannot continue to pour billions of dollars into a program that has not delivered on its promises and has only caused more problems for our military. It’s time for a change, and it starts with acknowledging the failure of the F-35 program.
