Esper: F-35 will not meet 80% mission-capable goal

By Justin Katz / July 16, 2019 at 12:52 PM
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is not expected to meet the military's goal of 80% mission-capable rates by the end of fiscal year 2019 because of supply shortages, the president's nominee to be defense secretary told Senate lawmakers today, despite confidence from military officials earlier this year. "The F-35 fleet is not expected to make the 80 percent goal. Transparency (canopy) supply shortages continue to be the main obstacle to achieving this. We are seeking additional sources to fix unserviceable...

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