New expectations for F-35 quality on delivery?

via Defense News.

“The issue itself is well on its way to being resolved,” Ellen Lord, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, told reporters during a roundtable.

However, the debacle establishes the “department’s point of view” that Lockheed had gotten sloppy in meeting the specified manufacturing requirements — and that the Pentagon got not been rigorous enough in enforcing them, she said.

“The department, in an effort to move forward with the program, has perhaps not been as thoughtful as we want to be from this point forward in terms of what we consider acceptable performance,” she said. “I think this corrosion issue is one example where we have expectations for workmanship, and at this point we’re not seeing those workmanship levels being achieved.”

Lockheed Martin officials understand that, Lord said, including its CEO Marillyn Hewson, who has been meeting with Lord every month to talk about the Pentagon’s new expectations for the development, production and sustainment of the program.

“What we are in the process of doing is talking with a greater level of fidelity about our expectation for performance on each of the upcoming lots,” she said. “I know that there is a much higher level of fidelity around expectations and the details that we are discussing at all levels of management.”

Since the department partially suspended deliveries, it has accepted 14 F-35s, Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, the Air Force’s top uniformed acquisition official, said during a House Armed Services subcommittee hearing on Thursday. Five aircraft—three U.S. Air Force F-35As, one for Norway and another for Australia — have been deferred.

The pause has been going on “for a few weeks,” he told reporters after the hearing. “Hopefully it will be done in a few more.”

Story here. 

The highlighted portion is damning.

Not on Lockheed Martin's part.  I expect them to do as they've always done.  Cut as many corners possible and charge as much possible to maximize profits and to limit expenses.

In any other business it would be considered good ole fashioned capitalism...buyer beware and all that jazz.

The only thing that annoys is that LM wraps itself in the flag, spouts false patriotism and so many bite on that idiocy.  I consider it like wearing a flag pin on your lapel.  That shit is easy.  What's the hard thing you've done to show you support the country ass wipe?

Back on task.

The DoD let standards slip so that the program could go forward.

Considering how the DoD has acted with regard to this airplane it should be expected but it shouldn't be allowed.  Want to fix the F-35?  Start sending fucks to jail.  Retired and you had a hand in this dog's breakfast?  Fuck it.  You go too.

No more free passes on this clusterfuck.

But that's fantasy.

The reality is that they're still accepting airplanes...it's only a partial suspension.

Some of these bastards just don't care.  They're gonna get this plane into service and even if it ain't worth hot piss on a summer's day in LA they're gonna git'er done.

Fuck them all.