Pentagon says F-35 fighter program's cost still exceeding estimates

[unhappycamper]

Pentagon says F-35 fighter program's cost still exceeding estimates
By Bob Cox | The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Posted on Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The total cost of the F-35 joint strike fighter program will be far higher than estimated just a few months ago, the Pentagon confirmed Tuesday, but a report sent to Congress says the next-generation warplane must be continued because it is vital to national security.

Pentagon analysts now estimate that the cost to the U.S. of developing the F-35 and buying 2,443 combat-ready jets could total $382 billion through 2036.

That compares with an estimated price tag of $328 billion reported to Congress just two months ago and is more than double the original estimate of $178 billion when the program was launched in 2001.

The latest estimate, prepared by a team of independent Pentagon cost estimators, was included in a report that Ashton Carter, undersecretary of defense for weapons acquisition, was required to prepare for Congress to justify continuing the F-35 program.

The earlier cost estimate triggered the Nunn-McCurdy review, as the report is known for the law requiring it, because it showed the program was exceeding original estimates by more than 50 percent.



unhappycamper comment: More ugly surprises on the way for this $243 million dollar POS.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. One good thing about this fighter is that it can be a big export to other ally nations.

Unlike the F-22, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is slated to be exported to several other countries.
This could help offset costs, I'd Imagine.
Of course, this assumes the thing actually gets finished and performs well.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. I'll bet the Pentagon has never had an on-budget project in its entire history.

[jwirr]

3. Business as usual.

[gratuitous]

4. 178 to 328 to 382 billion

Like, what else would we have done with that money? Just blown it all at the track, I suppose. No big loss. Gotta keep those jobs (you all still like jobs, right?) and maintain our air superiority (just in case the cave-dwelling terrorists suddenly develop a modern air force).

What in the ever-lovin' blue-eyed world do we need with 2,400 fighter jets?

[Greyhound]

5. Yay! A penis extension to fight a war that can't happen.

:grr:

[Wilber_Stool]

6. All that to kill

people that ride donkeys.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. Well, we have to be able to ward off the mighty Taliban Air Force and their nuclear kites.