Boeing only option if F-35 program fails

Via a recent CRS (Congressional Research Service) report, if the F-35 fails, Lockheed does not have the production ability and learning curve to produce enough F-16s.

On December 3, 2010, the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform released its report on ways to decrease the United States’ national debt. The commission’s suggestions included canceling the F-35B outright, for a savings of $17.6 billion, and substituting F-16s and F/A-18Es for half of the planned F-35A and C purchases. The commission estimated the new fighter mix would save $9.5 billion through FY2015.103 Lockheed Martin chief financial officer Bruce Tanner “said the commission’s proposal is currently not viable… because Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth fighter factory is now optimized for F-35 production and would only be able to build a maximum of four F-16s per month.

Bad sales move having a quotable like that from LM.

(Note: I would like LM to succeed as a company. But it appears many don't have that in mind as a believable goal.)