Bill is quick to point out the costs of Marine Corps weapon systems...but this critic of the Corps fails to recognize the failings of his beloved Air Force....
These figures are copied directly from Wikipedia...
F-22...
US$150 million (flyaway cost for FY2009)
B-2....
$737 million (1997 cost for each aircraft only, $1.01 billion today)
F-15E....
[F-15E: US$31.1 million (flyaway cost, 1998)[2]
F-15K: US$100 million (2006]
But if that's not enough then lets look at the growth in the weight of vehicles...
M-113
12.3 tonnes (13.6 ST; 12.1 LT)
Bradley IFV
27.6 tonnes (30.4 short tons)
Stryker ICV
ICV: 16.47 t (18.12 sh tn)
MGS: 18.77 t (20.65 sh tn)
GCV
up to 60 tons
In short Bill is simply taking aim at the Marine Corps because it serves his purpose but his argument is flawed beyond belief.
Its been a slam the Marine Corps month at Ares and now in DTI.
That's a shame.
