Pentagon defends F-35 to lawmakers after questions from recent GAO report

The Pentagon recently faced scrutiny from lawmakers over the F-35 Lightning II, its most costly single weapon system, with each plane costing between $80 million and $100 million. Despite these high costs, the program has struggled to meet performance goals and sustainment costs are rising. Defense officials defended the program, emphasizing its importance and ongoing improvements. This debate matters because it highlights significant financial and operational challenges in military procurement and the broader implications for future defense budgets.