Lockheed Martin confident of meeting $25,000 F-35 flight hour target
Lockheed Martin delivered 17 F-35 aircraft during Q1 2021 (Photo: US Air Force)
New sustainment plans could see Lockheed Martin reduce operating costs of the F-35 to $25,000 per flight hour.
Lockheed Martin has said a $25,000 flight hour cost target set by the F-35 Joint Program Office is achievable, but the manufacturer suggested that it still has work to do before ‘optimal sustainment strategies’ are implemented on the fifth-generation jet programme.
Excessive sustainment costs have led to public criticism of the aircraft recently, including Adam Smith, US House Armed Services Committee chair, describing the costs themselves as ‘brutal’ during a Brookings Institution event on 5 March, while cuts could be called for under the forthcoming FY2022 US defence budget request.
‘It’s an expensive machine and it’s expensive to maintain in large
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Investing in Tomorrow (Studio)
-
![First F135 engine depot outside of US is approved]()
First F135 engine depot outside of US is approved
Netherlands F135 engine maintenance facility has been approved for initial depot capability.
-
![Lockheed Martin to continue network-centric weapons capabilities work for F-35]()
Lockheed Martin to continue network-centric weapons capabilities work for F-35
Lockheed Martin carries on developing network-enabled weapons and electronic-attack capabilities for F-35 operators in the US and allied air forces.
-
![Against a rapidly evolving air defence picture, SkyKeeper has all threats covered (Studio)]()
Against a rapidly evolving air defence picture, SkyKeeper has all threats covered (Studio)
Evolving air defence requirements drove the development of Lockheed Martin UK's SkyKeeper BMC4I solution.
-
![SkyKeeper – the enabler of air defence in the digital age (video)]()
SkyKeeper – the enabler of air defence in the digital age (video)
In response to evolving air defence challenges, Lockheed Martin UK has developed SkyKeeper - a next-generation Battle Management Command and Control capability.
-
![F-35 takes Swiss spoils to maintain remarkable European sales record]()
F-35 takes Swiss spoils to maintain remarkable European sales record
In what amounted to a fairly one-sided contest, the F-35A has emerged as the winner of Switzerland's Air2030 procurement, with Bern opting to buy 36 of the fifth-generation jets.
-
![US F-35Cs qualify for carrier operations]()
US F-35Cs qualify for carrier operations
The US ‘most advanced carrier wing’ has been qualified for Carrier operations following four days of flight deck operations earlier this month.
