By Garrett Reim2021-06-15T23:32:00+01:00
Five years from now, this might be the highlight of Bridget Lauderdale’s career. Or, it might be the bullet point on her resume that she wants to gloss over.
Lauderdale has the privilege – or the burden – of taking over the management of the Lockheed Martin F-35 at a critical point. She was named vice-president and general manager of the programme in April.
Source: Lockheed Martin
US Air Force wants the F-35A to be the cornerstone of its fleet, but the fighter is plagued with high operating costs and deficiencies
Dogged by sustainment costs that are projected to reach $1.27 trillion over the programme’s 66-year lifecycle and hundreds of deficiencies, the F-35 has become a punching bag for frustrated members of US Congress who are disappointed in the aircraft’s performance and looking to spend money elsewhere, particularly on domestic programmes.
"We've been applying pressure to members of Congress to make sure that this program is adequately funded," Hasan Solomon, IAM's political and legislative director, said of the union's campaign to support the F-35.
Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office are expected to need a six-month stop-gap contract before inking a deal for sustainment through 2023, company officials say.
"There's a perception out there that Lockheed's going to take everything, and nobody's gonna be able to get in to support of the F-35," said Mike Miles of Lockheed Martin's F-35 logistics unit about the firm's PBL proposal. "That's not the case."
I know there s an issue with the total number that s been on the table for some years, Frank Kendall said. What we should really be working on most is getting the cost down and keeping the procurement at a rate that makes sense.
By
Paul McLeary on May 25, 2021 at 2:30 PM