F-35B STOVL JSF “on probation”

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has put the JSF program on notice during a media briefing at the Pentagon.

Gates said that while testing and development of the F-35A CTOL and F-35C CV variants “are proceeding satisfactorily,” the F-35B STOVL version “is experiencing significant testing problems. ” He added that, “These issues may lead to a redesign of the aircraft’s structure and propulsion – changes that could add yet more weight and more cost to an aircraft that has little capacity to absorb more of either. As a result, I am placing the STOVL variant on the equivalent of a two-year probation. If we cannot fix this variant during this timeframe and get it back on track in terms of performance, cost and schedule, then I believe it should be cancelled. ” The F-35B, until now the lead variant in the development of the three designs, will now be moved to the back of the development sequence, indicating the US Marine Corps’ goal of achieving a 2012 IOC is now highly unlikely to be achieved.