The F-35 program is clear to plan an increase in the strike fighter’s production rate, assuming further progress in some technical areas, determined Pentagon acquisition executive Frank Kendall after a recent interim program review. Kendall now “believes the department is ready to ramp up F-35 production consistent with budget priorities,” reads a Pentagon statement provided to the Daily Report on Nov. 4. However, “before entering into any contract action that increases production rates,” he’s expecting the program “to demonstrate additional progress in software development, reliability, sustainability, and test,” according to the statement. Kendall signed out his findings on Oct. 28, one week after the Defense Acquisition Board’s IPR took place. The review is an annual evaluation not tied, in this case, to a particular program milestone. Kendall, who chairs the DAB, said earlier this year he expected at this review to green-light increasing production from about 30 aircraft this year to 44 next year. The IPR—described as an “informational status brief”—is held at this time because it “appropriately informs discussions and/or decisions for the President’s budget,” said a Pentagon spokeswoman. F-35 Program Executive Officer Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan presented the brief.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
