️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️  <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> F-35 program will reportedly cost a whopping $590 billion over the next decade.<unk> F-35 program will reportedly cost a whopping $590 billion over the next decade. Trouble in the skies: The F-35B's internal weapons bay is too small for a Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) load (file photo) The F-35B is one of three variants of the F-35 program, which has proved expensive and troublesome to get off the ground. F-35B is one of three variants of the F-35 program, which has proved expensive and troublesome to get off the ground. ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ In the US, it will be used by the Marine Corps.<unk> In the US, it will be used by the Marine Corps. <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> Ministry of Defense has ordered 48 of the aircraft and they are the only fighter jets set to launch off two planned British aircraft carriers - the HMS Queen Elizabeth and the HMS Prince of Wales. F-35 program<unk> has been plagued by massive cost overruns and delays.<unk> Joe DellaVedova, a spokesman for the F-35 program, said in an Inside Defense interview last week that changes are being made to the F-35B jet so it can be released on schedule. <unk> Joe DellaVedova, a spokesman for the F-35 program, said in an Inside Defense interview last week that changes are being made to the F-35B jet so it can be released on schedule. DellaVedova<unk>also said that Lockheed Martin will likely get the alterations contract down the line in 2015. ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ We've been working with the SDB II program office and their contractors since 2007.<unk>We've been working with the SDB II program office and their contractors since 2007.<unk>We've been working with the SDB II program office and their contractors since 2007. The fit issues have been known and documented and there were larger and more substantial modifications needed to support SDB II that have already been incorporated into production F-35 aircraft. These minor or remaining changes were put on hold until the aircraft reached a sufficient level of maturity to ensure that the needed changes would...
️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ Although it is mandated that an F-35B hold eight SDB IIs in the bay, only four can reportedly fit. <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> SDB II can employ a number of techniques - including imaging infrared, laser, and radar homing - to hit targets.<unk> SDB II can employ a number of techniques - including imaging infrared, laser, and radar homing - to hit targets. <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> F-35B <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk>