A report from the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General indicates that F-35 fighter jets were available for flight only half of the time in 2024, falling 17% short of the minimum performance requirement. The report attributes this low availability rate to the Pentagon's failure to hold Lockheed Martin accountable for deficiencies in F-35 sustainment.

The audit revealed that the F-35 Joint Program Office did not incorporate aircraft readiness performance or enforce measurable contract requirements, which contributed to the aircraft's limited operational capacity. Furthermore, the Pentagon disbursed approximately $1.7 billion to Lockheed Martin without any economic adjustments, despite the aircraft's inability to meet essential military service standards.

The F-35 program represents the Pentagon's largest acquisition initiative, with lifetime costs projected to exceed $2 trillion for the procurement, operation, and maintenance of the aircraft. Lockheed Martin has not provided a response to inquiries regarding the report's findings.