I get that you don't like this program, but spreading your own opinions around as "fact"only reflects on your credibility...poorly.
Is it a successful program then?
From a pilot’s perspective, it is probably not yet successful. I would think pilots would grade a program by the number of seats available to sit in.
According to LockheedMartin, they have only built just over 100.
So there are still not very many seats for a pilot to sit in.
spoken like a true f-35 acolyte.
Never presented it as fact. This is an opinion board as well.
Nonetheless... even this article appears to be chock full of FACTS about delays, cost over runs, reduced performance expectations and results, higher life cycle costs etc. Many of the problems are created by DoD (including USAF) procurement practices.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II
Program nearly doubled in price: Cost is 70% higher than planned.
Years overdue: In 2001 DoD said it would be combat capable in 2010. It is now at least SEVEN years behind schedule.
Marines target for combat ready is now 12/2015
USAF 12/2016
USN 2/2019
This article may be from what some consider a spurious souce but seems pretty factual: http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/fy2012/pdf/dod/2012f35jsf.pdf
It may eventually be a fine aircraft but it is a badly run program and that FACT will not change.