Status of the F-35 program using the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Annual Report

Source: Statement by J. Michael Gilmore, Director,
Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), Office of the Secretary of Defense, before the Senate Armed Services Committee

the F-35 system remains immature and provides limited combat capability

there are still many unresolved significant deficiencies, the program continues to fall behind the planned software block development and testing goals, and sustainment of the fielded aircraft is very burdensome

aircraft continue to be produced in substantial quantities (all of which will require some level of modifications and retrofits before being used in combat)