An Office of Inspector General audit found the Department of Defense paid Lockheed Martin $1.7 billion through July despite persistently low F‑35 readiness rates, and identified systemic oversight failures in sustainment that raise both readiness and program cost concerns. The report flags gaps in contract oversight and performance accountability.
Discovered |
Briefing
The audit says the DoD paid $1.7 billion through July even as F‑35 readiness lagged, highlighting potential value‑for‑money and incentive issues; the DoD watchdog recently found the fleet was mission‑capable only about 50% in 2024.
OIG findings of systemic sustainment and oversight failures come as the Pentagon continues to fund major sustainment work for the program, including a recent follow‑on logistics award to Lockheed.
The report adds to existing financial and audit concerns for the program after auditors identified a misstatement that led the Pentagon to restate its clean‑audit target, underscoring persistent accounting and oversight risks.
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Audit: DoD paid Lockheed $1.7B by July despite low F-35 readiness rates • DefenseNews.com
Audit: DOD Paid Lockheed $1.7B Despite Low F-35 Readiness • AirForceTimes
Military Times
• Cristina Stassis