The Pentagon’s most recent estimate for the F-35 joint strike fighter’s total acquisition cost shows a drop of $12.1 billion since 2014, according to a government watchdog. – Defense News
The Navy’s top acquisition official told a key congressional panel Wednesday that “Marines absolutely love this aircraft” and expect to be fielding a new squadron of F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters in June. – USNI News
Mackenzie Eaglen writes: While the F-35 program seems to have achieved a comfortable cruising altitude recently, the program faces heightened domestic and international uncertainty in the coming years. The next administration will confront continued budget handcuffs, an ever-rising nuclear recapitalization bill, and a tri-service deferred modernization bow wave. Each of these challenges will demand significant resources be reallocated under the defense topline to an extent thus far avoided since the Budget Control Act was passed in 2011—putting at risk current JSF procurement plans. – Real Clear Defense
United Technologies Corp.’s performance building engines for the F-35 fighter has been beset by “recurring manufacturing quality issues,” according to the Defense Department’s annual report on its costliest weapons program. - Bloomberg
The Navy has increased its projected annual use of the F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter, adding in 60 hours per plane per year as the service refines its training plans. – USNI News
With the rise of high-tech threats from Russia and China, the Marine Corps plans a major increase in its forces devoted to jamming, hacking, and deceiving enemies. – Breaking Defense
The U.S. Air Force says it's starting to draw up requirements for a dedicated close air support aircraft to replace the A-10 Warthog, which the service is retiring in order to free up funds for the F-35. The Air Force’s Lt. Gen. Mike Holmes told reporters said that a draft of the requirements will work its way through the Air Force bureaucracy this spring and then be included in "the larger study we’re doing on the future of the combat air forces." Potential A-10 replacements include the A-29 Super Tucano, the AT-6 trainer, the AirLand Scorpion, or an aircraft based on the T-X trainer.