Pentagon Orders F-35’s Full-Rate Production To Be Put On Hold

An F-35A is lifted by an overhead crane from the Fort Worth factory’s Electronic Mate and Assembly System, where major components are joined together to form the structure of the jet. Lockheed Martin

Warzone/The Drive: It’s Official: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision On Hold 

With critical test and evaluation work still unfinished, the full-rate production decision will be left to the future Biden administration. 

In a setback for the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter program, the U.S. Department of Defense has formally decreed that a decision on full-rate production of the jet is on indefinite hold. The Milestone C decision on whether or not to ramp up the manufacture of Joint Strike Fighters had been due in or before March 2021, but has now been on hold pending completion of the final phase of operational testing of the F-35. Bloomberg was first to report news of the verdict, which was made by Ellen Lord, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment in the Trump administration. There had been previous suggestions that a delay was at least likely, before today’s official confirmation. 

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WNU Editor: Of course the Pentagon announces this on New Years Day when no one is paying attention. 

 More News On Pentagon Ordering The F-35’s Full-Rate Production To Be Put On Hold 

Pentagon Keeps $398 Billion F-35’s Full-Rate Production on Hold -- Bloomberg 

Pentagon keeps $398 billion F-35's full-rate production on hold -- Stars and Stripes 

Pentagon keeps US$398b F-35's full-rate production on hold -- Business Times 

Lockheed Stock Up As F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision Delayed Again -- IBD