U.S. sees lifetime cost of F-35 fighter at $1.45 trillion

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Exclusive: U.S. sees lifetime cost of F-35 at 1.45 trillion

By Andrea Shalal-Esa

WASHINGTON | Thu Mar 29, 2012 1:28am EDT

(Reuters) - The U.S. government now projects that the total cost to develop, buy and operate the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will be $1.45 trillion over the next 50-plus years, according to a Pentagon document obtained by Reuters.

The Pentagon's latest, staggering estimate of the lifetime cost of the F-35 -- its most expensive weapons program -- is up from about $1 trillion a year ago, and includes inflation.

While inflation accounts for more than one-third of the projected F-35 operating costs, military officials and industry executives were quick to point out that it is nearly impossible to predict inflation over the next half-century.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/29/us-lockheed-fighter-idUSBRE82S03L20120329

[xchrom]

1. Du rec. Nt

[bemildred]

2. What's that sucking sound I hear? nt

[unhappycamper]

3. I saw $1.51 trillion on one of the military rags this week.

The F-35 spin is pretty interesting.

Canada is publicly asking: Why we did we think of buying these things?

Italy dumped 41 F-35s from their proposed buy.

The United States deferred purchase of 179 of these wonders due to budget concerns.

The Brits have their panties in a twist due to the price.

I saw an article that Norway is questioning the wisdom to committing to something that is waaaaay over-priced and not-ready-for-prime-time.

Lockheed Martin and the DoD insists they will (eventually) become affordable. Yea, right. And pigs may fly out my butt.