The Pentagon is looking at ways to lower F-35A sustainment costs. (U.S. Air Force/Connor J. Marth)
Defense News: Pentagon ‘can't afford the sustainment costs‘ on F-35, Lord says
WASHINGTON – Sustainment costs on the F-35 are poised to become unaffordable, and that’s a big challenge for Ellen Lord, the Pentagon’s newly christened undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment.
As a result, Lord is focused on testing new business and data processes on the fifth-generation stealth fighter, including leveraging big data analytics for sustainment purposes.
“Right now, we can’t afford the sustainment costs we have on the F-35. And we’re committed to changing that,” Lord told reporters at a Jan. 31 roundtable, adding that the plane is the “most significant” program in the Department of Defense.
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WNU Editor: I recall reading years ago on how the promoters of the F-35 pushed the narrative that if all the services accepted a similar jet .... the sustainment/maintenance/etc. costs would go down. I guess they lied.
