The Defense Department’s F-35 Lightning II fighter program is “achieving stability” after its latest record-breaking cost estimate was unveiled last week, a top Pentagon spokesman said Tuesday, and he reaffirmed DoD’s commitment to the huge international effort.Read the whole thing....but....
Pentagon Press Secretary George Little acknowledged to reporters “there had been issues in the past with respect to development and testing, and with respect to cost,” but that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta had made getting them under control a top priority.
“We do believe we’re achieving stability over time with respect to development and testing and with respect to cost,” Little said. He alluded to the next batch of F-35s that DoD expects to order from prime contractor Lockheed Martin, a deal that would require Lockheed to cover more of the costs for develop the fighters even as they’re also in production.
Its pretty fucking pathetic.
Only now do the clowns at the Pentagon realize that this program is under assault and needs to be defended. Want proof? Read the latest from Sweetman over at Aviation Week. I'd quote it here but to be honest it makes me sick.
The sad thing is that this all could have been avoided.
But they didn't take the misinformation campaign seriously. They didn't realize that an old hack (who was once a hero, now turned pure politician) named McCain would latch onto the critics of the program to burnish his maverick theme.
They just didn't think. But that's ok. The line is running out on the Defense/Aviation writers that think they can make a name on bashing the F-35.
The way I figure it...One wrong move and they'll end up the ass lickers....
awesome tv show!!! californication yeah, i'd give my right nut to sleep with ... bloody any of the hotties hank has every week. He must get a serious amount of bonners just watching his own show, nevermind the actual scene work with the cuties!!!!
ReplyDeletePfffft! He threw a journalistic hissy fit. Glad it gave him a headache. Pretty weak and rambling critique for a return on the labor.
ReplyDeletex2 Californication kicks ass.
ReplyDeleteFocus people...
ReplyDeleteThe lack of support shown for the program by program managers in general (worldwide) is terrible.
I note Sweetman attached links to his own article via his psuedonym on PPRuNe overnight too...
you know what Magoodotcom. YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT!
ReplyDeletei don't know how i missed it but you're spot on. can you link the PPRuNe info?
Here...it's post number 371
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/478767-no-cats-flaps-back-f35b-19.html
On thing that I like about the latest Budget docs is that they break down the non-Recurring costs with a bit of detail and they show you projected detailed costs.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I noticed that is driving up the cost of LRIP F-35s is that 6 Full Motion Simulators (as are all the extra training & support materials for Eglin and other training bases) are part of the F-35's Non-Recurring costs and not a separate line items. Those simulators alone added $70 mil in FY2013.
So many people are so focused on APUC they never take the time to see what is involved.