Aviation News – U.S. Lawmakers urge U.S. Air Force to restore F-35A mission capability amid readiness concerns
U.S. senators pressed the Air Force to urgently address alarming mission-capability rates and escalating maintenance costs for its F-35A fighter jets, warning that persistent delays and downtime threaten operational readiness.
The issue surfaced during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday, where members questioned the Air Force’s chief-of-staff nominee about the fifth-generation jet’s declining performance metrics. According to recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports, the F-35A’s mission-capable rates have fallen between 71% and 51% from 2019 to 2023, while sustainment costs continue to soar. Lockheed Martin, the aircraft’s manufacturer, has faced criticism for late deliveries and missing upgrades. The 2026 defense budget under congressional review includes funding for 47 additional F-35s—24 of which are slated for the Air Force.
Technically, the F-35A’s downtime often stems from supply-chain bottlenecks, with jets grounded while waiting for replacement parts to arrive. This delay reduces available aircraft for training and missions, limiting the Air Force’s ability to project airpower effectively.
“The F-35 remains the most advanced fighter in the world, but too many of them are sitting idle on ramps,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the committee’s chairman. “The Air Force cannot project power if its most advanced fighter cannot get off the ground.”
Looking ahead, the Air Force and Lockheed Martin face mounting pressure to improve the fighter’s availability through better logistics, faster part replacement, and cost-effective maintenance solutions. Congressional leaders have hinted that sustained underperformance could affect future procurement decisions.
The F-35A remains central to U.S. air superiority strategy, but lawmakers warn that reliability and affordability must match its technological promise. The coming months will test whether the Pentagon and industry can resolve these readiness challenges before the next budget cycle.
Photo Rob Vogelaar
