Originally Posted by kbrockman
...the avionics on the latest SH are at least equal to the F35...
Sorry, but I can't let that one go...even on paper the nacent Advanced Super Hornet 'concept' (which is yet to fly) is still short in terms of integration and growth capacity of what the F-35 offers, let alone the current Block II Super Hornet.
Originally Posted by JSFfanboy
...Janes said the aussies costed the 24 SH at $24k and the 75 f-35 at $21k per hour...
The F-35 should not be compared to the artificially high Australian cost of operating the Super Hornet. The F/A-18Fs were originally acquired as a bridging capability and a higher than normal level of contractor support was contracted because the plan was to keep them for only about a decade. In short, Boeing is doing VERY well out of the arrangement.
The F-35s will be in service far longer and, as such, they will require a higher degree of uniformed support and warehousing etc. Although more expensive to set up than the Super Hornet 'turn-key' arrangement, this should work out cheaper over the life of type.
A more accurate comparision would be with the classic Hornet due to a similar number to be operated and an anticipated similar life of type period.
Originally Posted by JSFfanboy
...the price hasn't doubled yet, like it did with the fa-18ab...
*sigh* The classic Hornet price increased (but didn't "double") mainly due to the decision to build all but four of them in Australia from increasing levels of local content, and then scrap the production facility and component supplier streams and tooling rather than try to recoup some of the in-country manufacturing costs as was planned.