F-35 Scrap Rate at 16%

The rate of scrap, rework and repair on production of Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 fighter jet is currently around 16%, higher than other military aircraft programs at similar stages of production, the Pentagon says.

Both the Pentagon's F-35 program office and Lockheed Martin Corp "recognize this is an area that needs improvement, and are working together to achieve world-class levels of quality," says Navy Commander Kyra Hawn, a spokeswoman for the program office.

Hawn said the other military programs had scrap, rework and repair rates in the mid to high single digits when they reached a production level of 100 aircraft. The F-35 is nearing production of its 100th jet.

Lockheed spokesman Michael Rein said the company's scrap, rework and repair rate was "commensurate with historical programs at the same stage of production" and should continue to improve as the program continues to mature.

Click here to read the entire article by Andrea Shalal-Esa