F-35 Program Office Clarifies Omnibus Funding

An item in Jan. 16’s Daily Report stated the Air Force was losing two F-35s as part of the Fiscal 2014 omnibus budget. The omnibus cuts two F-35As and one F-35C from advanced procurement funds, which are funds specifically requested to procure long lead items to support Fiscal 2015 buys. The budget reduction means the F-35 program cannot initiate long lead purchases for more than 28 F-35As in Fiscal 2015, F-35 Joint Program Office spokesman Joe DellaVedova told the Daily Report. “We foresee little impact on the overall program,” he noted, adding the total procurement number of 2,443 aircraft remains unchanged.