The F-35s, citing a defense officer, the weapons producer is supplying the US military with jets that have a variety of “Category 1” flaws that impair flight performance
In spite of the $438 billion program’s acceleration and the delivery of more than 975 jets to the US and partners, including Israel, four F-35Bs needed to be repaired at Cherry Point, North Carolina.
According to the contract management firm, military clients, most notably the Marine Corps, “are still expressing to us that too many quality assurance defects are escaping to the field” and that this is “an issue for the user community and a major concern negatively impacting” preparedness.