Lockheed CEO: F-35 challenges are "worth it"

During a breakfast press conference on 24 July in Arlington, Virginia, Lockheed Martin chief executive officer Bob Stevens responded to questions about affordability and development challenges, saying the F-35's advanced capabilities are "worth it". Lockheed officials also are emphasizing that the development programme appears to have finally stabilized, with the company adhering to the latest manufacturing schedule for the last eight or nine months. At the same time, programme officials also acknowledge the need to maintain that performance over the remaining five years of the development phase.