Joint Strike Fighter: Progress Made and Challenges Remain

Abstract

The JSF program has delivered and flown the first development aircraft. However, cost and schedule goals established in the fiscal year 2004 rebaselined program have not been met. Total JSF program acquisition costs (through 2027) have increased by $31.6 billion and now DOD will pay 12 percent more per aircraft than expected in 2004. The program has also experienced delays in several key events, including the start of the flight test program, delivery of the first production representative development aircraft, and testing of critical missions systems. Delays in the delivery of initial development aircraft were driven by incomplete engineering drawings, changes in design, manufacturing inefficiencies, and parts shortages. Despite these delays, the program still plans to complete development in 2013, compressing the amount of time available for flight testing and development activities. Also, the program projects it will meet all but one key performance requirement line of sight communications---that is currently dependent on other capabilities being developed outside the JSF program.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA464367

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Design
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Congress
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Cost Analysis
  • Cost Estimates
  • Department Of Defense
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Governments
  • Manufacturing
  • Procurement
  • Software Development
  • Tactical Aircraft
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States Government

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Software Engineering