For the first time a F-35 lobbyist admits that a death spiral is in the offing...

via Forbes

Given current federal budget deficits, rising interest rates, and mounting pressure from mandatory federal spending accounts, it will be increasingly difficult to sustain current defense spending. History tells us that budgets do not rise forever, but move up and down in cycles. When the next down cycle comes, it will unleash competition for finite dollars between the F-35 and F-15EX leading to a decrease in the F-35 buy rate. Ultimately, if funds are actually appropriated for F-15EX production, they will come out of future spending on the F-35. Reduced production will result in higher unit prices, inducing further program cuts. Indeed, we can already see this happening—DOD’s new five-year plan has the Air Force planning to buy 48 F-35s from 2021-2023, down from 54 per year as previously planned.

Story here. 

This is why the F-35 fanatics are pushing back so hard on the missile truck concept represented by the F-15EX.

This is why they're no longer laughing when I talk about death spiral.

The threat is real this time...all you have to do is follow the money.  What's amazing is that for the first time we see definitive proof that the full buy of F-35's is in jeopardy.

It's been teased before.

The US Navy's anemic buy of the F-35C was sending alarm bells.  The continued push to buy Super Hornets was a case of the same alarm bells ringing a bit louder.

The F-15EX is a direct shot across the bow.

Death spiral.

When I shout it now the fan boys ain't laughing.