DoD OIG: Pentagon paid Lockheed $1.7B through July despite low F-35 readiness and systemic sustainment oversight failures
A Department of Defense Office of Inspector General audit found systemic oversight failures in F-35 sustainment and low readiness rates, yet the Pentagon paid Lockheed Martin roughly $1.7 billion through July despite the program's poor performance. The report raises questions about contract oversight, sustainment payments and cost-readiness risks.