A federal oversight agency examined the latest developments in the Pentagon’s most expensive weapon system, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and found that more cost overruns and technological uncertainties are likely on the horizon.
The jet, which has been in development for decades and has yet to see any combat, is currently undergoing modernization efforts projected to cost $3.9 billion, according to the Department of Defense.
Known as Block 4, the technological upgrades focus on protecting the F-35 from defense systems and enemy aircraft it may encounter over the next 20 to 50 years. It will also increase the jet’s weapons capabilities.
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit released on Tuesday found, however, that the scheduled purchase of F-35s with Block 4 modernization is beset by uncertainty.
For one, the Pentagon is planning to request funding to purchase upgraded F-35s as part of its fiscal year 2019 budget. That’s more than two years before development and testing of the jets’ new systems.
“Congress will be faced with the challenge of making funding decisions with limited information,” GAO warned.
Individuals close to development of the F-35 also admitted to the watchdog that Block 4 modernizations are already facing setbacks.
“Officials acknowledged that the aircraft’s current data processor is operating at maximum capacity, and an updated processor with increased capacity is likely needed for the first increment of Block 4 to function as intended,” GAO reported.
An “updated processor,” however, might not be available until a later iteration of Block 4 capable aircraft, officials admitted.
“As a result, DOD may be negotiating prices for those aircraft without knowing if or when the more advanced capabilities will be delivered and whether they will function as required,” GAO stated.
The F-35 was only recently declared “combat ready” in August 2016, though it has yet to be deployed in a conflict zone.
GAO has previously estimated that the Department of Defense will spend, in the end, more than $400 billion to fully equip the F-35, and then an additional $1 trillion to operate and sustain it.
“DOD’s most expensive weapon program could cost more,” the oversight body said in a summary of its latest finding.
