The United States has developed the F-35 stealth fighter jet to be an advanced military aircraft of the fifth generation, capable of ensuring air dominance in future wars.
The aircraft has become one of the most costly military projects in the United States due to the advanced technologies equipped on it. However, this aircraft has not yet engaged in a single battle, and the percentage of aircraft capable of engaging in potential wars does not exceed 55% of the total number of aircraft currently in service, as reported by the American website “Real Clear Defense” on Wednesday.
The report states that aircraft that appear promising from the perspective of US arms companies are not necessarily suitable for the US military, indicating that its recurrent crises have prompted some to discuss alternatives that could replace it.
The report continued: “The entry of this aircraft into service was supposed to lead to the retirement of other types of aircraft, but what is actually happening is that half of what is produced is not suitable for combat.”
A previous report on issues with the F-35 mentioned that metal and plastic parts were found in the fuel tanks and wings of several aircraft of this model.
The report also addressed the performance rates of the version of the aircraft dedicated to the Marine Corps, indicating that it is 45%, which is lower than the supposed minimum.
The report also mentioned the slow repair mechanisms and the presence of about 10,000 components of the aircraft on the waiting list, in addition to the scarcity of technical maintenance data and replacement of damaged parts, with an insufficient number of maintenance teams.
The United States designed the F-35 aircraft with its allies under a joint program, and there are three versions of it: the F-35A, which is capable of taking off and landing from traditional runways used by other types of aircraft and is used by the US Army and most other countries that have acquired the aircraft; the F-35B, designed for short takeoff and vertical landing, and can operate aboard some warships equipped for this purpose, used by the US Marine Corps, Britain, and Italy; and the third version is the F-35C, designed to operate aboard US aircraft carriers and used only by the US fleet.
