Originally Posted by
abdunbar
Why is the F-35 so expensive? It would be an interesting exercise to determine the precise reasons for the F-35 high cost. I propose that a very high percentage of the cost is development which includes graft and inefficiency caused by the contractor manipulating production to try and make the contract non cancelable. The US government and other buyers have paid for the development in spades. They should take possession of the designs and rebid it. At this point a head to head competition could take place between the F-35 and other choices such as a Super Harrier or Super F-18 or Super Rafale.
I don't know anything about aircraft but in my experience of projects in general the cost overrun is because the whole effort is trying to please too many people. But if you don't please enough people, you'll never get the money. So its' just a fact of life.