F-35 C US Navy and Royal Navy. Photo from Defesanet.comTime For A Congressional Investigation -- ELP Defens(c)e Blog
It has now come to pass that all those wonderful things that we were promised about the F-35 program might not be so.
Gates has decided to play the CYA card. Smart move to cover his earlier poor decisions associated with U.S. air power. "Hey it’s not my fault, I was poorly advised, but I’m going to do something about it". That leaves Gates with only having to explain why he threatened our elected officials if they go against the F-35 program.
Previous Post From ELP Defens(c)e Blog: (Updated) DOD deception and projected cuts to the F-35 program in FY2011
More News On The F-35 Program
Leaked Budget Document Shows Restructure Of JSF Program -- BNet
Pentagon May Cut Production For Lockheed's F-35 -Reports -- Wall Street Journal
Gates Calls for Delay in Pentagon Purchases of Lockheed F-35s -- Business Week
Reports: Pentagon proposes cuts in F-35 production -- News Herald
Lockheed downgraded at AmTech on F-35 delay -- Market Watch
Pratt & Whitney F135 Engine Powers F-35 Historic First In Flight STOVL Conversion -- PR Newswire
LM has successful F-35B STOVL test -- UPI
My Comment: To say that there is a problem with the F-35 program is to under report what is rapidly becoming a very important story. ELP Defens(c)e Blog is the first blog that I know of that has called out for Congressional investigations, and while Eric Palmer is right that an investigation should be forthcoming .... I do not think it will happen now. There is too much on the Congressional plate for them to focus on the F-35 program, and with Congressional elections less than 10 months away the priority for many of these politicians will be to get re-elected.
My prediction, Congressional investigations into the F-35 program mess will commence in January of next year, and the hearings are going to be brutal. Coupled this with the budgetary crisis that will be on the plate for these Congressmen/women next year.... budgetary cuts and program delays will be the priority .... not salvaging and finding answers to what has happened to the F-35 program.