Navy announces large cuts to F-35C orders

Stunning lack of journalism used in this "article" about large U.S. Navy cuts to the F-35C.

(Reuters) - The U.S. Navy is set to order 33 fewer Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets than originally planned over the five years starting in fiscal 2015 due to budgetary pressures, a defense official said Monday.

In a move that will sharply slow work on the F-35 model built to land on aircraft carriers, the Navy will ask Congress to fund 36 F-35Cs instead of 69, said the official, who could not speak publicly ahead of Tuesday's release of the 2015 budget request.

Over 12 years after contract award, the F-35C is yet to show proof of trapping on an aircraft carrier. DOTE 2011, 2012, 2013 reports show problems with this. Also since 2002, the empty weight of the F-35C has grown 15 percent.

Also omitted by the Reuters chief F-35 fan report are other massive problems with what can only be described as faulty project management and a consistent failure to deliver on the promise by the vendor.

Budgetary pressures. Not seeing it. The jet, to date, has no proof of being operationally viable.