F-35 program chief warns fleet has outgrown its support system amid record-low readiness

The F-35 program chief has raised alarms about the fleet's readiness, noting that only 25% of the jets are fully mission capable, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report. This situation highlights a significant mismatch between the advanced capabilities of the F-35s and the outdated support infrastructure designed to maintain them. The issue is critical as it threatens operational effectiveness and could lead to costly delays in maintenance and upgrades, potentially impacting future defense budgets and military strategy.