Cramer Chairs SASC Airland Subcommittee Hearing on the F-35 Program, a ‘Cornerstone of American Airpower’

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, led a hearing on the F-35 program, which he described as "a cornerstone of American airpower" and "one of the most consequential defense programs" of this generation. Subcommittee members had the opportunity to hear testimony from Lieutenant General Gregory Masiello, Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office. In his most recent meeting with Cramer, they discussed sustaining combat readiness and ensuring the nation's aircraft remain prepared to meet evolving threats around the world.

In his opening remarks, Cramer described the F-35 as a strategic asset strengthening deterrence, enhancing interoperability, and reinforcing the alliances and partnerships underpinning global security. Cramer thanked Lt. Gen. Masiello for being a part of the important discussion about where the program stands, what milestones have been achieved, and what risks remain.

"Its success among our allies and partners is a testament to both its unmatched capabilities and its ability to enable seamless operations alongside United States forces," said Cramer. "Nations around the world continue to choose the F-35 because it strengthens collective defense and regional stability. That growing demand reflects confidence in American technology, industry, and leadership, while also delivering real benefits to the United States through improved coalition readiness, greater burden-sharing, and a stronger industrial base that supports American workers and warfighters.

"I thank our witness for joining us today, and I look forward to your testimony," concluded Cramer.

Opening Remarks

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Cramer first questioned Lt. Gen. Masiello about how the Department aligns F-35 funding between reconciliation and discretionary accounts to ensure the Block 4 Engine and Power Thermal Management Upgrade and other modernization priorities stay on track. He asked about the operational, schedule, and cost impacts if reconciliation funding is not ultimately provided as planned. Block 4 is essential to preserving the F-35's operational advantage in an increasingly contested environment.

Lt. Gen. Masiello said the reconciliation bill last year allocated $1 billion for the F-35 program and said he's supportive of the department's Fiscal Year 2027 budget request.

Lockheed Martin delivered a record 191 F-35s in 2025, and its annual production is significantly greater than any other allied fighter. Demand is growing, with Denmark and Italy adding more than 15 jets to their fleets. Poland received three of its 32 F-35A planes in late May, becoming the first NATO eastern flank ally to have them. Norway received the remaining portion of its full F-35 fleet last year, with Finland set to receive its first fighters this fall. In spite of these successes, other slowdowns make deployment of fighters to military bases challenging. Bureaucracy, software issues, and base readiness factor into these slowdowns.

Cramer asked Lt. Gen. Masiello to identify which problems in the deployment pipeline are the most readily fixable to achieve quick efficiency gains.

Lt. Gen. Masiello said a detailed analysis across the sustainment system helped identify five opportunities for immediate execution beyond simply stockpiling parts.

"That is not just solely about buying spare parts," he said. "It is inclusive of that, making a catch up of investment that we've failed to make in the past, [...] but it is also looking at our entire maintenance plan. [...] With over 13 countries operating the aircraft we have lessons learned."

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Cramer asked what the U.S. can do to assure allies who are wary about F-35 delivery timelines, prompting Lt. Gen. Masiello's response detailing how allies pay attention to the U.S. defense budget and the support allied nations get, saying allies need to know the United States is fully supportive of the F-35 program and development. He said allies are looking forward to the approval of the President's fiscal year 2027 budget as it will establish stability across the industrial base.

After a recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office was critical of Lockheed Martin's performance in building and delivering F-35s, particularly surrounding the Joint Program Office's use of contract incentive fees, Cramer followed-up on the multi-year procurement authorities included in this year's NDAA.

Lt. Gen. Masiello said the most important thing is having a stable aircraft with a stable design. He expressed his appreciation for SASC's support of the multi-year procurement authority, which will help build better contracts to get these incentives back on track.

Cramer said one of the strengths of the F-35 project is its coalition with American allies, sharing development and sustainment costs with partners and everyone ultimately getting a better deal. Lt. Gen. Masiello previously told Cramer "the F-35 is more than just an airplane, it's a symbol of our alliances." Cramer then questioned how allies contribute to the F-35 program, and how this benefits America.

Lt. Gen. Masiello said in a few years, there will be nearly 800 F-35s distributed across multiple European nations, with less than 10% of that number being U.S. aircraft.

"When we talk about burdensharing, interoperability, both in cost and the actual warfighting capability, that's demonstrated," said Lt. Gen. Masiello.