The Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Michael Mullen, wants to get the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter “out and online.” He told defense reporters Tuesday morning that the F-35, which will replace the F/A-18, is crucial to the Navy’s future force. Mullen said, “To me, it’s about the JSF… my concern is for the JSF program and delivering it on time.”
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.
