Reader comments -- It's fake

Don Bacon

May 26
U.S. Marines partner with United Kingdom in F-35B operational test

USS WASP, At Sea -- As the first operational test of the F-35B Lightning II takes place aboard the USS Wasp this week, service members from the United Kingdom are working alongside their U.S. Navy and Marine Corps counterparts to assess the integration of the F-35B into amphibious military operations.

These "operational tests" are a PR stunt prior to declaring the F-35B "combat capable" which of course it isn't. Fourteen years in development and many mor e to go in this failed program.

This bogus F-35B "operational testing" aboard the USS Wasp is a ruse to help declare these faulty pre-production prototypes "combat capable" in July. Title 10 USC § 2399 - Operational test and evaluation of defense acquisition programs

"The Secretary of Defense shall provide that a covered major defense acquisition program or a covered designated major subprogram may not proceed beyond low-rate initial production* until initial operational test and evaluation of the program or subprogram is completed. (currently Feb 2019 for F-35 according to SAR)." F-35 operational tests, postponed many times due to prolonged development, are currently scheduled to start January 2018.

Title 10 U.S. Code, Section 139

“There is a Director of Operational Test and Evaluation in the Department of Defense, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.” The DOT&E director is currently Dr. Michael Gilmore, his appointment approved by the Senate. He says: "The [Wasp] flight operations will not be representative of combat operations. . . Maintenance activity will be limited. . .These limitations are not representative of deployed combat operations." -- Michael Gilmore, DOT&E, in congressional testimony.

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