a1bill,
LaPlante quote:
Asked to categorically confirm or deny any new fighter purchase, a spokesman for the service’s acquisition office says: “At this time the air force has no plans to acquire 72 new F-15s or F-16s, although the air force is always looking at options to be prepared for a dynamic global security environment.”
In the political world, LaPlante's statement is known as
"Never Say Never". To receivers of the statement it is interpreted as hedging one's bet. Did you notice Laplante is on his way out of his DoD procurement position? Furthermore, situations within the Pentagon run much deeper than just the singular F-35 program. Can you name one significant program emerging from DoD in recent times that has been successful, on time, on budget? Here are some recent significant programs:
Actual cost of the new Gerald Ford (CVN-78) aircraft carrier has risen 23% since the 2008 budget submitted to Congress and now stands at $12.89 Billion, $370 million over the Congressional cost cap. The Navy says there is a greater than 50% chance the cost will rise. Two more carriers (CVN-79 & CVN-80) are planned. Congress is threatening to not provide funding for CVN-79 or CVN-80 starts unless the Navy comes to grips with continued cost overruns on CVN-78.
US Navy Zumwalt class destroyer program (DDG1000). Originally, 32 destroyers were planned, then reduced to 24 , then to 7 and now to 2, effectively cancelling the program. 11 years and $10 billion expended on the program, the US Nave said they really didn’t need the Zumwalt class and are buying more current Arleigh Burke-class destroyers at significant reduced costs. The only reason the 2 are being built is to maintain ship building capacity.
The US Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program that has two variants, the Independence class and the Freedom class. It was determined in 2010 that neither class could survive in a close into shore combat situation, the situation they were designed for. The cost for the Freedom rose to $637 million and the cost for the Independence rose to $704 million. At the moment a combination of 24 LCS Freedom & Independence ships will be built with “enhanced” survival capability.
The story of the F-35 program has been well discussed relative to both performance and cost. The US Navy is close to deciding additional purchases of F-18 Super Hornets in lieu of F-35s because of various reasons including timing & cost of F-35s.
There is a bigger picture to be examined and
all is not well within the Pentagon.
TD