Lockheed Martin has reimbursed the Air Force the $265 million it inadvertently overcharged the service for F-35 development, with interest, company spokespersons said Wednesday. The repayment was not in the form of discounts on future purchases, foregoing progress payments, or other mechanisms commonly used in such circumstances. “We cut a check,” a company spokeswoman said.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.