Remember the recent report by a team of Pentagon numbers crunchers and technical experts (the Joint Estimate Team) that said the F-35 program was likely to run two years further behind schedule and $16 billion or more over its current $299 billion budget?
And remember that Lockheed Martin execs said the report wasn't accurate?
Well Defense News reported today that the Pentagon's chief weapons buyer seems to think the report is credible. Perhaps even on target. Ashton Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, has ordered defense planning staff and the F-35 program office to come up with a plan to counter the rising costs.
In an exclusive interview at the Pentagon, Carter confirmed reports that a Pentagon "joint estimate team" (JET) has determined current program plans would spawn sizable cost growth and schedule delays after completing an annual review of the tri-service, international fighter program.
"The JET II study shows both some cost increases and schedule slips, which we should do everything we can to avoid," Carter said. "Those are forecasts which say what will happen if we don't change what we're doing. And we should change what we're doing so that those predictions don't come fully to pass."
During the next few weeks, defense acquisition and program officials will weigh a number of options and ultimately put in place a plan designed to steer the fighter initiative away from the JET-predicted trouble.
Carter said he has scheduled a "major" weekend meeting on the F-35 program on Nov. 21 and 22. "I would like to have a management plan by then that tells us where we are and how we can improve the performance of this important program," he said.
Inside Defense.com reported that Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who has voiced strong support for the F-35 and confidence that its development costs can be kept in check, was briefed on the JET report Friday.
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