via Standard.net
In a full-page discussion of durability testing and cracking, Gilmore disclosed an incident in late September when a bulkhead "severed." He said "analysis and corrective actions" were continuing.What should F-35 supporters be saying?
Aircraft based in Florida, Arizona, California and Nevada for pilot training missions continue "to be immature" and rely "heavily on contractor support and workarounds unacceptable in combat operations," Gilmore wrote.
Reliability measures "are all below" target goals for the current stage of development, he said.
The aircraft's weight stabilized last year, with little margin for growth without exceeding contractually binding limits that would jeopardize meeting combat requirements, Gilmore said.
