[fatez]

Nice idea, we cannot afford it.

Kill it.

[ArrogantBustard]

crAP opposes it ... it must be good.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Auditors criticized both the military and the contractor for pressing into the jet's development's phase before key technologies were mature, started manufacturing test aircraft before designs were stable, and moved to production before flight tests showed the aircraft was ready.

Kelly Johnson is spinning in his grave.

[N. Theknow]

One Trillion for a fighter?

Inflation.

One politician just paid over $4,000 for one screw.

[jazusamo]

Pics at link.

F-35 Lightning II - Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), International

[mysterio]

What is that, about 10 euros?

Maybe we should borrow it from China. Maybe even let them build the planes for us.

[Zhang Fei]

Well, Social Security will cost $20T over the same period of time. Guess we’d better start taking an axe to SS since it’s so bloated.

[Moonman62]

First, this aircraft is going to cost as much as the F-22 by the time it’s ready to go. Second, any aircraft that is claimed to replace the A-10 is a fraud.

[CharlesWayneCT]

It’s rather deceptive to include FUEL COSTS in your estimate for the total costs of a plane.

It’s actually rather deceptive to simply report MAINTENANCE costs as well.

After all, these planes are replacing other planes, and those planes WON’T be maintained, or using fuel. And no matter what plane you fly, fuel costs are going up.

[VRWCmember]

Auditors criticized both the military and the contractor for pressing into the jet's development's phase before key technologies were mature, started manufacturing test aircraft before designs were stable, and moved to production before flight tests showed the aircraft was ready.

I'm sure the auditors thoroughly investigated the effects of congressional meddling on the program as well. NOT!

[Bobalu]

Money well spent IMO.
This plane is amazing.

[DesScorp]

The Navy should drop out of this program. Other than the stealth, there is no single area of performance where the Super Hornet isn’t the better plane, especially in regards to the radar. The Super Bug has a longer range, higher top speed, bigger payload, and the safety of two engines. And its a hell of a lot cheaper. Let USAF destroy their own damn budget with this thing.

[whd23]

The new jet will replace the Air Forces F-16 Falcon and the A-10 Warthog aircraft. A short takeoff and vertical landing version will replace the Marine Corps F/A-18C/D and AV-8B Harrier aircraft. And the Navy is buying a model designed for taking off and landing on aircraft carriers.

This would seem to be a bad thing. When the military has an aircraft crash, what action do they take? Ground all aircraft of that model until the cause of the crash is determined.

So if the Navy version of the F-35 crashes, do all other versions of the F-35 get grounded as well? And wouldn't it be bad to have so much of our air power grounded simultaneously?

[Liberty Valance]