WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Congress calls for an "unfunded priorities list" from each of the armed services every year and legislators have the option of approving additional funds the requested, or "wish list" items or ignore the request altogether.
"The Air Force requested $7.2 billion in total, including about $2.9 billion to buy back capability the service cut in its fiscal year 2017 budget request due to resource limitations," Defense News reported on Friday.
The F-35 fighter jet is the most expensive military aircraft ever developed, with an estimated final cost of $400 billion, twice the original estimate.
Problems with the F-35 have included flaws in its fuel and hydraulic systems, poor cockpit visibility, faulty radar and ejection seats that do not work. The entire fleet was grounded in 2014 after an engine caught fire as a test pilot prepared to take off.
