The $1 Trillion Question for the F-35: Is the U.S. Buying an Inferior Plane?

[unhappycamper]

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/08/13/1-Trillion-Question-F-35-US-Buying-Inferior-Plane



The $1 Trillion Question for the F-35: Is the U.S. Buying an Inferior Plane?
By Martin Matishak
August 13, 2015

A new report by a progressive think-tank says the astronomically expensive F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is inferior compared to other “near-peer” competitors and will be mismatched against emerging threats.

The study by the National Security Network states the jet, the most expensive weapons system in U.S. history, will not only be outmaneuvered and outgunned by Russian and Chinese aircraft but will also be limited in range and its stealth capabilities will be easily overcome.

“The F-35 will find itself outmaneuvered, outgunned, out of range, and visible to enemy sensors,” the report states. “Going forward, full investment in the F-35 would be to place a bad trillion-dollar bet on the future of airpower based on flawed assumptions and an underperforming aircraft.”

Rather than continue with the program, with its already sizeable $400 billion price tag, Congress and the Defense Department “should begin the process of considering alternatives to a large-scale commitment to the F-35,” it adds. The lifetime program cost for the plane is expected to surpass $1 trillion.

[Fred Sanders]

1. The real question is : "1 Trillion Dollars? WTF?"

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Sounds like we need to spend a lot more on improving it!

Lipstick will look lovely on that flying pig.

[MisterP]

3. that's exactly their attitude--they invented "cost-plus accounting" of course

I've been flogging this autobio by the founder of The Tyee but it really shows the techie approach: if something fails it's not unfeasible, you short-sighted Luddites just need to pour another half or whole trillion in--our future depends on it!

it works on an ideological as well as a pocketbook level