Opposition demands F-35 be dropped after leaked Pentagon report cites more flaws

OTTAWA – Opposition parties say the Harper government should exclude the F-35 from its search for replacements for Canada’s CF-18 jets after a new Pentagon report found more flaws with the stealth fighter.

A leaked evaluation in Washington criticizes the visibility in the cockpit of the multi-role fighter, and contains blunt comments from test pilots that suggest the shortcomings could get planes shot down in combat.

Pilots have also cited concerns about the sophisticated helmet that’s supposed to display data, saying there are flickering and non-existent displays.

Vocal critics, such as aviation expert Winslow Wheeler, say the F-35 is not ready for combat training, let alone combat.

Both the New Democrat and Liberal defence critics say the stealth fighter should be dropped from consideration.

The Harper government has asked a panel of independent experts to evaluate all of the options on the market to replace the 1980s vintage CF-18 fighters.

News from © The Canadian Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.
The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.