K-STREET, 10,000 FEET: Lockheed Martin’s F-35s’ military readiness under fire, blasted over woke policies
The Lowdown:
Lockheed Martin’s legendary F-35 fighter jets are having trouble reaching readiness goals, according to a recent Pentagon report, and are lagging on software capabilities.
A senior GOP strategist told the Reporter that the defense giant “focused more on DEI and woke politics than military readiness” with the jets.
A Senate staffer told the Reporter that, until “Lockheed Martin formally apologizes for sending its white employees to DEI reeducation camp, no Republican will take Lockheed’s self-interested and transparent makeover seriously.”
A Lockheed Martin spokesperson told the Reporter, “as we did in his first term, we look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with President Trump, his team, and the Congress to strengthen our national defense.”
Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet has become synonymous with American air superiority, with little boys and girls dreaming of taking them into the skies. The latest batch, though, is facing scrutiny from some in Washington after reports that the jets are bringing a little too much baggage with them.
The headlines around the F-35 have seen clearer skies than in recent years. A recent Pentagon report concluded that the F-35 fighter program is having trouble reaching readiness goals, while January’s annual Operational Test and Evaluation report found that the program is still lagging on software capabilities including Tech Refresh 3, Block 4, and more.
Some within GOP circles in Washington, however, say the problem lies in Lockheed Martin’s embrace of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies during the Biden administration. The defense giant made headlines after it was revealed it had a three-day “White Men’s Caucus” attended by Caucasian executives in 2020, including the vice president of the F-35 jet program. Additionally, Lockheed Martin’s head of government affairs was noted as a “fierce critic” of President Trump and resigned after facing pressure.
A senior Republican strategist with close ties to the Trump administration told the Washington Reporter that “Lockheed Martin has focused more on DEI and woke politics than military readiness with their F35.”
“It is no wonder Republicans have become increasingly skeptical of them in the Administration and Hill,” the senior GOP strategist said.
A senior Senate staffer told the Reporter that, until “Lockheed Martin formally apologizes for sending its white employees to DEI reeducation camp, no Republican will take Lockheed’s self-interested and transparent makeover seriously.”
A Lockheed-Martin spokesperson told the Reporter the defense firm’s “sole focus is and always has been building the most advanced mission-critical defense technology that helps keep Americans and our allies safe.
The spokesperson also told the Reporter that the “White Men’s Caucus” training no longer exists within Lockheed-Martin, having been closed down for several years and pointed to the company’s statement on President Trump’s executive order banning DEI policies.
“Merit-based talent management programs and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and directives have always been central to this mission,” the statement read. “We are taking immediate action to ensure continued compliance and full alignment with President Trump’s recent executive order.”
The DEI scrutiny on the F-35 program comes after President Trump’s executive orders dismantling the Leftist ideology promoted and installed under former President Biden.
President Trump’s move is being heralded as a “magnificent blow” against DEI, and its impact is already seeing change in American culture across multiple spectrums.