Lockheed's 'Record' F-35 Deliveries: A Boondoggle by Design
📰 THE STORY: Bloomberg reports Lockheed Martin delivered a 'record' 191 F-35 fighter jets last year, acknowledging a 'caveat' that almost half of these were two years behind schedule, according to the Pentagon. The article subtly hints at ongoing software development and manufacturing issues that have plagued the program for years, implicitly framing it as an industry-standard challenge rather
than a fundamental flaw. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The F-35 program, initiated in 2001, is the most expensive weapons program in history, projected to cost over $1.7 trillion throughout its lifecycle. Its history is a cascade of cost overruns, delays, and performance failures. For instance, in 2021, a report revealed the F-35 had serious flaws, including an inability to
destroy targets in some scenarios and dozens of critical deficiencies, yet it continues to receive massive funding. This isn't a 'caveat'; it’s an institutionalized pattern of failure benefiting shareholders. Double Standard: Imagine if a publicly funded healthcare system or an infrastructure project was two years behind schedule on nearly half its deliveries, suffering from billions in cost
overruns and continuous performance issues. The media outcry would be deafening, demanding accountability and budget cuts. Yet, for Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon's weapons programs, these delays and failures are 'caveats,' normalized within a system where profits trump performance every time. There's no serious call for defunding, only minor 'concerns.' Follow the Money: Lockheed Martin is not