The Air Force wants to spend the same on upkeep for the brand-new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as it does for support on its fourth-generation fighter jets, the service's top general said Thursday.
"Our initial target is to get them down to the equivalent or very close to what we're currently spending on fourth-generation fighters [such as] the F-16[Fighting Falcon]," Chief of Staff Gen David Goldfein said.
"We're all very concerned about sustainment costs," he told reporters during a breakfast briefing in Washington, D.C., adding that the Marine Corps has similar reservations.
Goldfein said he credits Defense Secretary Jim Mattis for bringing in former industry executives such as Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan and Ellen Lord, under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, who "know how this business works" from both industry procurement and sustainment perspectives.
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"Guaranteed military sale, renovation programs, spare parts for twenty-five years....who cares whether it works or not!" (Robocop, ED 209).
ReplyDeleteHaving had dealings with the federal government I know first hand how easy it is to jack up prices out of sight and then give them a small discount and everybody is happy.Sad but that's the way it is.
ReplyDeleteLm initially bid cost of jet at 60Mil per copy. current cost 100 mil. per copy. Not considering how LM has hamstringed the government into buying all Lm's support services to operate the jet. Which still is not fully ready and functional for it's mission profiles. Considering what the chinese and russians are building we have to move the yardstick. but it's up to the JPO to reign in Lm, which they have been doing! however it will never be on par with the f16. Since the government wanted to be able to remove the back shop support other fighters require. thus reducing cost on one side but pushing them upon the other side of the equation.
ReplyDeleteStill, it's the coolest jet built to date!
At least the LM welfare program produces job and profits for employees to spend and pay taxes on. Were normal welfare produces nothing. Except cigs and booze sale increases
ReplyDelete