Next LM boss tries some spin on AV Week

The Next LM boss has a few examples of spin with the F-35 program when talking to AV Week.

Here is an interesting one:

Lockheed Martin is on the hook to deliver the JSF low-rate initial production III and IV aircraft by the end of the year. Will you meet that deadline?

It's close. We experienced a 10-week strike in Fort Worth that just ended a month ago, and that could drive some challenges as to whether some aircraft get delivered late this year or early in 2013. We're in dialogue with our customer, and they know the challenges.

For the record, LRIP-3 is already late. The contract was to end in December 2011. Just a few months ago was the start of LRIP-3 deliveries to the customer. LRIP-4 contracts are to be completed by March of 2013. Given the number of aircraft to hand over, not all that far off.