Only one in four F-35As can do every mission, and that is a readiness warning taxpayers cannot ignore.
Quick Take
- The Government Accountability Office found F-35A full mission capability fell to 28.5 percent in fiscal 2025.
- Mission-capable rates also dropped, showing the problem is broader than one narrow metric.
- Air Force officials blamed part of the decline on software delays, spare parts shortages, and corrosion problems.
- GAO also faulted sustainment incentives and weak recordkeeping inside the Joint Program Office.
Readiness Drops While Costs Keep Rising
The latest Government Accountability Office review shows the F-35A still struggles to meet its full mission goal. Full mission-capable rates for Air Force F-35As fell from 54 percent in fiscal 2021 to 36.2 percent in fiscal 2024, then slid to 28.5 percent in fiscal 2025.[1] That means a little more than one in four jets could carry out all assigned missions at any given time.
The broader F-35 picture is not much better. GAO-based reporting says the fleet-wide mission-capable rate fell from 66.8 percent in fiscal 2021 to 44.1 percent in fiscal 2025.[1] That metric is easier to meet than full mission capability, because it only requires an aircraft to perform at least one mission. Even so, the trend still points down, not up.
Software Delays, Parts Shortages, and Corrosion
Air Force officials told GAO that part of the 2025 drop came from accepting new F-35s before they could perform every mission because of software problems.[1] The reporting says Technology Refresh 3 delays forced a delivery pause, and the newer jets were first limited to basic training flights.[1] That matters because it shows readiness problems are tied not only to old aircraft, but also to jets the Pentagon has already taken in.
GAO also pointed to deeper sustainment trouble. Breaking Defense reported that the watchdog wanted the Pentagon’s reset plan to increase spare parts supply and better manage corrosion.[2] That is a familiar pattern in defense programs that promise cutting-edge performance but stumble on upkeep. When parts are scarce and maintenance lags, a fighter may sit on the ground even when the airframe is new and expensive.
Accountability Problems Inside the Sustainment System
GAO went beyond hardware and software. It found that millions of dollars in incentive fees paid to Lockheed Martin have not consistently pushed the contractor toward the readiness goals the services need.[2] The watchdog also said the Joint Program Office lacked accurate records for incentive fees paid from 2021 through 2023.[2] That is a basic management failure, and it makes outside oversight harder when public money is on the line.
Just 28.5% of Largest Air Force in the World F-35As Fully Mission Ready✈️
The @usairforce's F-35A recorded the highest full mission-capable rate among all F-35 variants in fiscal 2025, yet only 28.5 percent of the jets could perform all assigned missions at any given time,… pic.twitter.com/VbjNStzrji
— Aviation A2z (@Aviationa2z) June 14, 2026
The Pentagon now says it needs more money to fix the problem, not less. GAO-based reporting says the department is seeking an additional $13.7 billion for F-35 sustainment, while the Joint Program Office has launched a Global Support Solution Reset.[3][4] The stated goal is to improve readiness, but the same reports warn that industry capacity, parts production, and contractor incentives still may not match the services’ needs.[3][4]
Why This Matters for Conservatives
This story is bigger than one fighter jet. It is about whether a costly weapons program delivers strength or just more paperwork, more spending, and more excuses. The reporting shows a long decline, not a one-year dip.[1][5] For readers who want a strong military and responsible government, the concern is simple: when readiness falls and costs rise, the taxpayer pays twice.
GAO’s wider findings also suggest the F-35 problem has lasted for years, not months. The National Guard Association reported that the three F-35 variants failed to meet desired mission-capable rates for fiscal years 2018 through 2023.[5] That kind of record should raise hard questions about procurement discipline, sustainment planning, and whether defense leaders are fixing the root problem or just managing the headlines.
Sources:
[1] Web – GAO: Just Over One in Four F-35As Fully Mission Capable
[2] Web – GAO: Just Over One in Four F-35As Fully Mission Capable
[3] Web – As F-35 readiness lags, Pentagon seeks $13.7 billion boost: GAO
[4] X – The F-35’s readiness rates continued to decline through fiscal 2025 …
[5] Web – GAO: Military Continues to Struggle with F-35 Readiness