The graph is so simple and easy to understand that there will be no response from my critics.
Marine Air is breaking the Marine Corps because its toys are so expensive they can't be afforded...and real questions must be asked about whether they deliver what was/is being promised.
The situation will not improve with the introduction of the F-35 either.
Choices must be made now. Either the Marine Corps remains a balanced Air Ground Task Force or it becomes an Air Force with attached security forces.
What Dunford decides to do in the next few months will determine the future of the Corps.
What is it about the V-22 that makes it so expensive to operate?
ReplyDeletethis is a layman's guess but i think its because a helicopter is complex and the V-22 is even more complex than the latest in state of the art helicopters. complexity brings expense. but a small service can't afford expensive tools. and the Marine Corps can't afford teh V-22.
DeleteThe V-22 CPFH is $70,000? I don't believe it.
DeleteAt the Paris Air Show last year, then-program manager Marine Col. Greg Masiello said costs were down to $9,520 an hour.--Breaking Defense
Since the Marine aviators have historically -- shall we say exaggerated on the low side -- on V-22 maintenance, the true figure is probably north of 9,520 but not 70,000.
not 70,000? so you believe that the V-22 is cheaper to operate than an AV-8B or a legacy Hornet? i seriously doubt that. quite honestly i wouldn't doubt that the 70 grand figure is being low balled.
DeleteYou may be right (not unusual). I just found this from Mark Thomson at TIME -- CV-22B Osprey Tilt-Rotor — $83,256 CPFH.
Deletenope, i'm just evolving from angry, to bitter - resentful - and untrusting of any Marine that wears flight wings.
DeleteOne gets the impression that they are air force jet-jockey wannabes, which the commandant needs to step on, real hard. Also 101st airmobile copycats, when the need arises. --Anything but Marines.
DeleteSpeaking of, ...an informative, substantive interview by somebody of General Dunford on where he's going with the Corps might be helpful, especially given Amos's legacy.
Of course the $101m F-35 acquisition cost is not correct -- it's $185m for the A , and 80-100m more for the B & C variants.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the DOD data:
PROGRAM ACQUISITION COST BY WEAPON SYSTEM
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
FISCAL YEAR 2015 BUDGET REQUEST
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE (COMPTROLLER)/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
p. 1-7 USAF F-35A
$Millions
procurement + spares
FY2014 LRIP- 8
$3,355.9 + $172.8 = $3,528.7 for 19 = $185.7
This chart from the Pentagon Comptroller illustrates the same thing, a procurement unit cost of $185.7 million.
The f-16 and f-18 should be on this graph for comparison as well
ReplyDeleteThis just in from Dave Majundar--
ReplyDeleteNew U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019
“There will be no gun until [the Joint Strike Fighter’s Block] 3F [software], there is no software to support it now or for the next four-ish years,” said one Air Force official affiliated with the F-35 program. “Block 3F is slated for release in 2019, but who knows how much that will slip?”
The Navy and Marine Corps versions of the F-35 have differing configurations [no internal gun] and rely on an external gun pod. The software won’t be ready for those jets for years, either.//
The Marines' F-35B, to many, is supposed to be combat ready at IOC next year. --NOT
Also, there is negative info coming from anonymous "Air Force official" lately. That's a good sign.
The internal 25mm gun GAU-22/A four-barreled rotary cannon on the F-35A can shoot 3,300 rounds per minute, though the Air Force’s F-35A version can carry just 180 rounds for the gun.
DeleteThe Navy and Marines system carries 220 rounds. The B & C centerline gun pod can be seen here and here. For more info on F-35 gun there is a seven-year-old academic paper here (download pdf).
Gunpod and 180 rounds of ammo on internal gun LOL
DeleteSuprisingly Harrier is the most hard hitting gun platform Marines have 25mm and 500rounds of it
Oct 15, 2014
DeleteWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Marine Corps said on Wednesday it is sticking to a July 2015 target to declare an initial squadron of 10 new Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets ready for combat use, but said it would not be devastated if the date slipped to August.
"It's too soon to flinch," outgoing Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos said in an interview at his Pentagon office, when asked if the Marines would miss their target date for declaring an initial operational capability (IOC).
10 planes per squadron...?
DeleteI thought it was 12.
i have no idea. hopefully Don will circle back around and give us the numbers.
DeleteThey are going to price themselves out of existence.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSurely your Marine M1 tanks were far more to procure and keep maintained than their predecessors?
ReplyDeletePlus the cost per mile must be huge with those engines.
The F-35 issue you highlight is not new but happens every time you jump a technology generation
How in the world can the leadership of my beloved Marine Corps even say with a straight face that this aircraft will replace the AV-8B when if only carries 220 rounds???
ReplyDeleteWorked for a Colonel at 1st MAW that was a Harrier pilot during the first Gulf War. He told me that he was utilizing his airplane and its weapons systems as almost an airborne artillery unit; just as fast as he could rearm...he was dropping again. Why do I not see that possible with this abomination?
But it does make sense now that I think about it why the Marine Corps bought off on the Navy building two LHA's with no well deck.....they want in on the carrier action without having to share the limelight with those dastardly Naval Aviators!
Dunford is keeping a low profile so i'm hoping that big changes are coming. he hasn't weighed in on any of the current programs...just letting the various factions spout on about how everything is just peachy. supposedly he's going to give his view on the direction of the Corps.
Deleteone thing i've noticed is a slight change, it might not mean anything but the caption on photos has changed. recon with the 11th MEU did a jump op. usually they're touting the Maritime Raid Force or Recon or whatever. this time it was 11th MEU did a jump op. also saw one where a vertical insertion was done using V-22s. the emphasis wasn't on the airplane but the grunts doing the insert. small but noticeable. i'm not in the 'its turned around camp' but more in the lets wait and see what happens framework.