F-35 full-rate production could slip, says DoD
Simulation tests, originally planned for 2017 and rescheduled for December 2020, have been delayed again
Full-rate production of the F-35 Lightning II faces a delay until 2021, following a decision by the DoD to postpone essential simulation tests until then.
Meanwhile, F-35 low-rate initial production will continue ‘in line with congressional authorisation and appropriation’, said Jessica Maxwell, a spokeswoman for Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
F-35 simulation tests were due to take place in December 2020 but this is not the first time they have been pushed back, as they were originally scheduled for 2017.
F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin acknowledged in July 2020 that an annual target of 141 deliveries could slip by as many as 24 units due to COVID-19 issues and suppliers being unable to maintain timely deliveries.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the USAF plans to order 1137 F-35As between FY2026 and FY2048; and the USN aims to buy 115 F-35B STOVL variants between FY2026 and FY2031 plus 130 F-35C carrier variants between FY2026 and FY2030.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA]()
Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA
The contract signed between MBDA and Fly-R will see diamond-shaped loitering munitions developed and prepared in the UAE. How does this move fit into wider market trends in the region?
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up]()
Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up
Thales and MBDA have taken steps to ensure the mass production of their respective loitering munition offerings at Eurosatoy, teaming with civilian manufacturers. These moves come amid France’s push towards sovereign drone production and continued market expansion.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years]()
Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years
Ukraine’s rapid development of long-range, deep-strike loitering munitions has helped turn the sector into a market worth an estimated US$13.2 billion. The reasons behind this were outlined during Eurosatory 2026, as other countries embark on the early stages of procuring this capability.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe]()
Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe
Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are an increasingly important tool for Europe’s law enforcement and public security agencies, with the past two years seeing rapid growth in operational deployment, procurement and regulatory acceptance.
-
![Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”]()
Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”
Bell is advancing construction of the US Army’s next-generation MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor as FLRAA programme approaches testing, production and future battlefield deployment.
