Friday 8 June 2018

House eyes major boost in F-35 jet purchases



A defense spending bill being considered in the House would dramatically boost funding for the Pentagon to buy more F-35 joint strike fighters in 2019.

The House Appropriations Committee released a draft version of its annual defense bill Wednesday that provides $9.4 billion for 93 of the high-tech Lockheed Martin aircraft, which is 16 more than the 77 requested by the military.

The bill also differs from the two versions of the annual defense authorization bills being put forward by the House and Senate. The House has authorized 77 F-35s while the Senate is weighing the purchase of 75 due to cost concerns about sustaining the aircraft.

The $675 billion appropriations bill is slated for a mark up in the House Appropriations defense subcommittee on Thursday. The Senate has yet to release a defense appropriations bill.

“With the changing global dynamics and ever-growing threats to our security, it is absolutely imperative that our military is properly trained, equipped, and fully supported in order to do their jobs,” Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., the committee chairman, said in a statement.


Related articles:
Congressional watchdog warns Defense Department not to move to full-rate production until F-35 resolved all technical issues
Older F-35 face maintenance issues as increasing number of aircraft left grounded waiting for parts
Lockheed Martin Secures Navy Deal to Upgrade F-35 Jets
Navy’s F-35 doesn’t have range for real stealth strikes, House report says
Lockheed resumes F-35 jet deliveries to Pentagon
Navy receives new electronic warfare environment for its F-35 jets
Air Force acquisition exec: To reduce F-35 sustainment cost, focus on agile software
Navy fighter squadron begins switch to the F-35
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit F-35Bs Join USS Wasp for Historic Deployment
Money Pit: Lockheed Opens New F-35 Plant, Soaks Up Another $1B from Pentagon
Pentagon and Lockheed Martin Finalize 2018 F-35 Sustainment Contract to Enhance Readiness and Reduce Costs
F-35C gets precision target engagement with Raytheon JSOW missile


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