# GAO finds F-35 program lacks reliable parts records GAO found inaccurate and incomplete parts records as the Global Support Solution Reset calls for about $13.7 billion in increased investment. Published 2026-11-09 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/11/09/gao-finds-f-35-program-lacks-reliable-parts-records/ The Department of War lacks complete records for its F-35 parts, the Government Accountability Office found in a Nov. 9 report.[1][2] The Global Support Solution Reset calls for about $13.7 billion in increased investment to meet F-35 program performance objectives, including bringing parts supplies to needed levels.[2] GAO found the program’s property records inaccurate, incomplete and not reflecting real-time changes.[1] Its fiscal 2025 physical inventory used data from a prime contractor whose property management system the Defense Contract Management Agency had rated disapproved, indicating noncompliance with contract requirements.[2] The parts are spread across more than 700 contractor- and government-managed facilities; contractor-managed sites hold about 30 percent.[1][2] GAO reported lost parts valued at over $85 million in 2023.[1] As of March 2026, the F-35 Joint Program Office did not know their status.[1] By then, a prime contractor had submitted approximately $28 million in losses.[2] The submissions covered losses incurred from 2012 through 2025, but program officials could not determine whether they included any of the earlier losses.[2] The Defense Contract Management Agency has so far determined that the contractor should be held financially liable for approximately $6 million of the reported $28 million.[2] The department concurred with GAO’s four recommendations covering loss monitoring and accountable property officers’ procedures, training and organizational structure; all remain open.[1] ## Why it matters GAO warns that the inventory deficiencies will leave the department unable to demonstrate accountability for additional parts that will be purchased under the Global Support Solution Reset.[2] ## Sources 1. GAO-27-108713, F-35 Program: DOD Needs to Strengthen Oversight of Tens of Billions of Dollars in Parts (product page) 2. GAO-27-108713 full report (PDF)