Gates Fires F-35 Chief

Concerned about cost overruns and other problems that beset the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has relieved Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David R. Heinz, the project's manager, of his duties. A three-star flag officer, yet unnamed, will replace Heinz, the Pentagon announced Feb. 2. Gates' concerns came to a head during an Aug. 31 visit to the plane's Lockheed Martin manufacturing plant in Fort Worth, Texas. "One cannot absorb the additional costs that we have in this program and the delays without people being held accountable," Gates said.

 

Back | Published: August 27, 2010