Report highlights F-35 problems
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The U.S. and allies buying F-35 multi-role fighter jets could face added costs as problems emerge during long-delayed combat simulation tests, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office
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F-35 Lightning II: Built in three versions with maximum speed of Mach 1.6 (1,975km/h)
F-35A: Conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant F-35B: Short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35C: Carrier version (CV) with tailhook for navy use

1 Cockpit: Spikes in pressure regulation can cause barotrauma – severe ear and sinus pain

2 Radar: Sea search mode only illuminates small slice of ocean surface

3 Supersonic flight: Stealth coating, which makes jet invisible to radar,
can bubble and detach when flying in excess of Mach 1.2

4 Engine: Afterburner – which injects fuel directly into tailpipe to boost speed – also damages stealth coating on horizontal tail surface

5 Costs: Every hour of flight costs $36,000 on average – $7.8m per plane for one year of operation – $3.7m more than U.S. Air Force target

6 Electronic combat system: Occasional green glow on helmet- mounted display washes out data.

Improved helmets slated for delivery in 2022

1 2 3 4 5 6 
F-35B STOVL variant
Airframe  $72.1 million
Engine    $26.3 million
Unit cost $98.4 million

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International orders (aircraft)

U.S. 2,456
Japan 147 
UK    138
Australia 100 
Italy 90 
Finland 64 
South Korea 60 
Norway 52 
Israel 50 
Netherlands 46 
Switzerland 36 
Belgium 34 
Poland 32 
Denmark 27 
Singapore 4
Total 3,336


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Sources: Air Force Times, U.S. Government Accountability Office, Janes
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