Pentagon says decision on full-rate F-35 jet production possibly delayed until 2021

via Reuters.

The Pentagon’s decision to move into a full-rate production contract for the F-35 jet, made by Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), could be delayed until 2021 because of issues integrating the jet with its testing and training simulators, an official said on Friday.

Full-rate production contracts are more lucrative for defense companies than low rate production contracts, suggesting larger payments for F-35 deliveries to Lockheed from the U.S. government and its allies could be delayed by as much as a year.

Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord told reporters she had signed off on a report that indicated the final decision on full-rate production could be delayed up to 13 months.

Story here. 

I was puzzled by this news till I realized that for all intents and purposes they're already in full rate production.

Lockheed Martin couldn't pump out more jets right now anyway and the air arms aren't setup to accept them.

My guess.

They're trying to give LM and the various air arms time to deal with Turkey being out of the program (at least for now) and a fucked up supply line.

I could be wrong but I'd bet body parts that's the real deal.