Aircraft
Lockheed Martin Chief Offers F-35 Mea Culpa, Plus Optimism
Lockheed Martin has learned “some painful lessons” during the development of the F-35, CEO Bob Stevens told journalists in late May.
Lockheed Martin CEO Bob Stevens says the F-35 program has stabilized after the Pentagon’s “rebaselining” of the project. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin CEO Bob Stevens says the F-35 program has stabilized after the Pentagon’s “rebaselining” of the project. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin has learned “some painful lessons” during the development of the F-35, CEO Bob Stevens told journalists in late May. “There’s more realism now,” he added.

Stevens insisted the program has stabilized after last fall’s “rebaselining,” with the company meeting or exceeding the planned flight-test schedule since then. He claimed that software development on the program continues on plan and the current software flying on the airplane is demonstrating good functionality and solid stability.