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F-35 Readiness Costs Rise, Watchdog Warns

June 11, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

F-35 availability falls below targets.
Pentagon faces rising readiness bill.
GAO report evaluates F-35 sustainment enterprise.
Program costs continue to increase.

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Strategic Implications

The rising readiness bill may indicate significant challenges for the F-35 program, which could impact the Pentagon's overall defense strategy. The continued shortfall in availability suggests that the program may require additional investment, which could have implications for the defense budget and the competitiveness of Lockheed Martin in the global defense market.

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What Happened

Pentagon Faces Increasing Bill For Troubled Fighter Program

The US Pentagon is facing a growing bill to increase the availability of the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet, which has consistently fallen short of targets, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The report highlights the challenges facing the F-35’s sustainment enterprise and the need for additional investment to improve readiness. The F-35 program has been a major focus of the Pentagon’s defense strategy, but its continued struggles with availability and cost overruns may have significant implications for the program’s future. This report was first published in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report by Aviation Week.

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