Jet Jockey A4, In the end at a fly away cost of $67M for each F-18 Super Hornet which is 2.5 to 3.5 times cheaper per copy than the “estimated” fly away cost of the F-35, I think Canada should definitely look at that option (plus others).
it may be best not to use unsupported speculation
Lockheed Sees 'Great Progress' On F-35 Fighter
“This program is making great progress and it really has a lot of momentum,” Kubasik told reporters on Wednesday during a discussion about Lockheed’s third-quarter earnings.
He said labor costs were coming down faster on the F-35 program than any previous fighter jet program in over 40 years.
Lockheed is on track to hit its target unit “flyaway” cost, excluding development, of $67 million in fiscal 2012 dollars by 2018
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/dae...-3-29-2012.pdf
2011/12 SAR has the by2012 FRP at $73m 2018 it's a pretty safe bet that it will be between those 2 numbers
This is the 7 point plan, that the article is based on and misreported
DND/CF | Statement | Government of Canada announces comprehensive response to Chapter 2 of the 2012 Spring Report of the Auditor General of Canada