Thread by @MarcusReports

🧵JUST IN: Government watchdog reveals @LockheedMartin is experiencing numerous issues building new F-35 stealth fighters. Many are pandemic related, but others are long-standing developmental problems gao.gov/assets/gao-22-…

The @USGAO report warns that hundreds of existing jets, including ones under construction, or ones that haven't even started assembly, will eventually face costly bills to install new technology that won't be ready for prime time until at least 2029

Of the 553 F-35s that Lockheed has built over the past five years, 155 (28 percent) have been delivered late.

And, it's also taking longer to build an F-35. Typically the assembly time goes down as workers build more planes. Two big reasons for the increase: The pandemic has jacked up the F-35 supply chain, so Lockheed isn't getting parts from suppliers on time ...

Also, the U.S. removed Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019. Turkey supplied more 1,000 F-35 parts to Lockheed and engine maker @prattandwhitney. The Pentagon had to find and certify new suppliers, which takes time

Speaking of Pratt & Whitney, the company delivered "nearly all engines ... late" — largely due to quality control issues. Moreover, in order for the new tech (referenced above) to work, "the program will need to
modernize the current engine"

So why is this all important? The Pentagon wants to cut its planned buys of the F-35, in part so it doesn't have to retrofit as many jets down the road. Congress routinely adds jets to the Pentagon's request

The Pentagon and Lockheed are in the middle of negotiating a contract for hundreds of new F-35s. Last week, Lockheed executives warned that rising inflation and pandemic supply chain disruptions could push the cost of the F-35 higher than expected defenseone.com/business/2022/…

Several defense officials are scheduled to update lawmakers on the program's progress at a congressional hearing later this week