By Eric Palmer April 18, 2016 The U.S. Government Account Office has released two reports on the troubled F-35 program. One on the program and “new capabilities”. Another, on the F-35s faulty total logistics management system called ALIS. The one on ALIS has no surprises. The problems have been ongoing for years and, it was […]
March 26, 2016 With its reputation effectively flown through the mud, the F-35 will seek public approval by performing alongside WWII fighters in an air show tour. With a price tag of over $1 trillion, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been riddled with problems that include everything from cybersecurity issues to basic flight capabilities. […]
By Dan Lamothe February 4, 2016 The Pentagon’s top weapons tester has condemned aspects of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program in a new report, raising questions about the $1.5-trillion effort’s ability to meet its already slipped production schedule, synthesize information on the battlefield and keep aircraft available to fly. The 82-page report was distributed […]
By Ian Greenhalgh April 19, 2016 You’ve heard what the critics have to say, now let’s see what the pilots think You must have heard about the F-35 debacle by now, a sad tale of huge cost overruns and an aircraft that has been called ‘the worst thing the USA ever procured’ by some commentators. Aside from […]
By Dan Grazier April 20, 2016 Last summer, F-35 program officer Lt. Gen. Bogdan said the F-35’s logistics systemwas “the brains and blood of operating this weapons system.” Despite many fixes, the aircraft’s Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) is so flawed that government auditors believe the computer system may not be deployable. These problems may […]
By R. Michael Erwin, PhD, Weaverville February 5, 2016 I read retired Col. Ric Hunter’s guest column (Jan. 31 AC-T) concerning the outlook for military readiness in an era where rapid response is needed in response to rogue forces. He lists a number of serious deficiencies within the Air Force resulting largely from sequestration. Although the […]
By Eileen Andreoli Apr. 18, 2016 This commentary is by a member of SaveOurSkiesVT.org. In recent stories about the accelerated pace for the basing in Vermont of the under-tested and mechanically flawed F-35s, Gov. Peter Shumlin states, “This initiative will benefit the Vermont National Guard, create jobs, and spur economic development in Chittenden County and surrounding […]
By Brock Vergakis Apr 16, 2016 Earlier this year, the Navy warned Norfolk that a banquet hall seeking to open in Ocean View was in a part of the city where planes taking off from and landing at Norfolk Naval Station were most likely to crash if something went wrong. The message was clear: Don’t […]
By Rosanne M. Greco April 15, 2016 I am a feminist. For over 40 years, I have supported feminist ideals. Four years ago, I started learning about the implications of the proposal to base the military’s newest fighter-bomber, the F-35, at the Vermont Air National Guard Station in South Burlington. The more I researched, the more […]
By Joe DeMarco Feb 18, 2016 F-35 deficiencies This is information about the F-35 that should interest everyone. The contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin on Oct. 26, 2001 (15 years ago) for this $1.4 trillion program — yes, $1.4 trillion for one aircraft. After many years of development and testing, this aircraft has serious maintenance and reliability […]