WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Robert Gates sacked Monday the general in charge of the F-35 fighter jet program and said he would withhold funds from Lockheed Martin over a series of cost overruns and delays.
“The progress and performance of the F-35 over the past two years has not been what it should,” said Mr Gates, adding, “a number of key goals and benchmarks were not met.” The Pentagon will withhold US$614 million (S$866 million) in performance fees from lead contractor Lockheed Martin, he said.
Full story: Gates fires general via The Straits Times