Pentagon watchdog criticizes Lockheed for F-35 maintenance failures, Bloomberg News reports

Dec 23 (Reuters) - U.S. F-35 fighter jets were available to fly only about half the time in 2024 due to maintenance shortcomings by Lockheed Martin LMT.N, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing a government watchdog.

The report, based on the findings from the Defense Department's Office of the Inspector General, said the average availability rate of F-35s was 50% partly because the Pentagon did not consistently hold Lockheed Martin accountable for poor performance related to F-35 sustainment.

The audit found that Pentagon paid Lockheed about $1.7 billion without any economic adjustment even though the aircraft were unavailable to fly about half the time and failed to meet minimum military service requirements, the report said.

Lockheed Martin did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.