Would Donald Trump Cancel The F-35 Program?

Rick Wilking / Reuters

Air Force Times: Trump wants to 'fire' F-35

Donald Trump wants to tell the F-35 that it’s fired.

The businessman and Republican presidential candidate questioned the wisdom of purchasing the joint strike fighter during an appearance on a conservative radio talk show Oct. 22.

“When they say that this cannot perform as well as the planes we already have, what are [we] doing, and spending so much more money?” Trump said during an appearance on the Hugh Hewitt radio show.

The host asked Trump his thoughts on the fifth generation fighter and the fact that it’s $160 billion over budget. Trump responded that he didn’t like what he had been hearing in security briefings.

Update #1: Here’s Why 'President Trump' Might Dump the F-35 (Martin Matishak, Fiscal Times)
Update #2: Trump: I'd dump the F-35 (Washington Examiner)

WNU Editor: His interview with Hugh Hewitt is here, and he does not say he will "fire the F-35" .... he is actually quoting the test pilots (probably confidentially) that the F-35 is not performing as well as the existing fleet, and that there are serious technical and budgetary problems with the plane that need to be looked into. What I also found interesting about this report is that Donald Trump is receiving security briefings .... I thought that it was only after the candidate was chosen that he or she would then receive their briefings.

Update: Another executive shake-up at Lockheed on the F-35 program .... Lockheed Martin Appoints New Leader to F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Project (National Interest).