One-third of F-35s could be delivered before operational testing is complete

The costs of major upgrades to the F-35 fighter are continuing to rise, and repeated delays on critical simulation tests and on a full-rate production decision are increasing the risk the Defense Department buys faulty jets that need to be fixed, a new Government Accountability Office report said. In Monday’s report, GAO found that the cost of the F-35's Block 4 modernization effort grew to $15.1 billion in 2021, $741 million more than the estimated cost in 2020.

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