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USAF: F-35 jet delayed by 2 years

Air Force Secretary Michael Donley says production of the Pentagon's marquee fighter jet, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, will probably be delayed by two years and cost significantly more than initially expected.

Donley told reporters Tuesday that the F-35 isn't likely to be ready until 2015.

The jet had been scheduled to become operational in 2013 before the Pentagon uncovered serious problems with the contract. Last month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that at least one senior manager would be fired and $614 million in performance bonuses would be withheld from lead contractor Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Donley said the Pentagon still remains "fully committed" to the program.

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