U.S. Congressmen Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Seth Moulton (D-MA) are introducing a bipartisan resolution to address concerns over Lockheed Martin’s handling of the F-35 program. The resolution asserts that Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors have breached their contractual obligations regarding F-35 deliverables, and criticizes the Department of Defense (DoD) for failing to hold the program accountable.
Last month, Rep. Gaetz voiced his frustrations during a House Armed Services Committee meeting, highlighting the federal government’s decision to entrust Lockheed Martin with “full-system performance” contracts despite the company’s track record of delays and cost overruns. He pointed out that, while funds for service members’ child care have been cut, more money is being allocated for additional F-35 purchases.
RELATED: Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Continues To Hammer Pentagon Over Readiness Record Of F-35 Fleet
“The federal government should not give ‘full-system performance’ contracts to companies responsible for their own failures. Today, I introduced a resolution to hold contractors accountable for breaching their F-35 obligations, while the Department of Defense has failed to enforce accountability,” said Gaetz.
“It’s unacceptable to leave the American taxpayer on the hook for a broken system and allow appropriators in Congress to divest funds from service members’ child care to invest in broken F-35s. We must stop rewarding failure and prioritize our military families,” said Congressman Gaetz.
“For two decades, across multiple administrations and Congresses, Lockheed Martin has failed to deliver on the F-35. Every step in the program’s journey has been late, wildly over budget, and has produced a plane that does not perform as required. It’s time to hold Lockheed Martin publicly accountable for failing the American taxpayer,” said Congressman Moulton.
The bipartisan resolution represents a significant effort to demand greater accountability from both the defense contractor and the DoD for one of the most expensive military programs in U.S. history.
The Resolution
The resolution outlines numerous issues within the F-35 program, which has been plagued by delays and escalating costs since its inception in 2001. Despite being the most expensive weapons system in U.S. history, with an estimated lifetime cost of over $2 trillion, the F-35 program continues to face major setbacks. The resolution highlights the following problems:
- Delays and Cost Overruns: The program is over a decade behind schedule and has cost $209 billion more than originally planned.
- Performance Shortfalls: None of the F-35 variants have met their performance targets in recent years, with the fleet’s mission capable rates far below the Department of Defense’s goals.
- Maintenance Issues: A lack of depot capacity has contributed to delays in repairing aircraft parts, further reducing the aircraft’s readiness.
- Contract Breaches: Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors have consistently failed to deliver aircraft and engines on time, with significant delays in production and modernization efforts.
“The inability of Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors to deliver modernized F-35 capabilities on time and within budget has weakened our military’s capabilities and put our warfighters at risk,” the resolution states. It further argues that the Department of Defense has not held Lockheed Martin accountable for its failures, allowing costs to rise while performance lags.
Congressman Gaetz emphasized the importance of this resolution, stating, “It’s unacceptable to allow such a critical defense program to continue without greater accountability. American taxpayers and our military deserve better.”
The resolution is set to be reviewed by the relevant committees in the House of Representatives.
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