Lockheed says Pentagon's $25K flying-hour target is reachable by 2025

F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin said this week the Pentagon's goal to reach a $25,000 cost per flying hour for the A variant by 2025 is achievable and fits into its broader strategy to reduce the fifth-generation aircraft's sustainment costs.

“We are taking action to deliver on the $25,000 cost-per-flight-hour goal by 2025 -- and see a path to achieving this target,” spokesman Mike Friedman said in a May 2 statement. “Lockheed Martin represents less than half of total [operation and sustainment costs], and we are partnering with our customers to further reduce costs across the enterprise to meet these joint goals.”

The company's statement comes after Defense Department officials on Thursday told House lawmakers it's not likely the program will reach the 2025 cost target, which was established earlier this year in the F-35's life-cycle support plan.

“The department doesn't see a path to get to $25,000 per flying hour by FY-25,” Bob Daigle, head of the Pentagon's cost assessment and program evaluation office said during a House Armed Services tactical air and land forces subcommittee hearing.

The F-35A's current CPFH is $44,000. Program Executive Officer Vice Adm Mat Winter said during the hearing he is targeting a $34,000 CPFH by 2024. Daigle said CAPE estimates the jet's flying-hour cost will drop to $36,000 by 2024 and then increase slightly to $37,000 in 2025.