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Why
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.
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What constitutes a very high percentage? How can a manufacturer manipulate production whilst in development? Who would bid against the incumbent who already has a production line? How would a state take someone’s IP without risking every other manufacturer ever doing business with them again? Hasn’t Belgium just run a head to head that the F-35 won? |
Originally Posted by abdunbar
(Post 10330988)
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.
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Something in the news about stealth coatings wearing out every flight...
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Originally Posted by weemonkey
(Post 10332357)
Something in the news about stealth coatings wearing out every flight...
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Originally Posted by Speedywheels
(Post 10332399)
I read the same and instantly dismissed the content. The coating integrity would only be an issue if it was mission critical. As the aircraft are only currently being operated as the squadrons and crews work up, I just don't buy it.
An RAF source told the Sunday Express: “This situation obviously has to be rectified before the plane enters operational service”. They said Mr Williamson and RAF chief Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier had always been aware of the problem. "Another company spokesman said: “Stealth maintenance on the F-35 is proving to be a significant success. It requires less maintenance and…is easier, more affordable and faster to repair compared to previous low-observable aircraft”. "But Air Commodore Andrew Lambert, a former RAF director of defence studies, said: “Lockheed Martin says it’s better now, but it takes just one scratch to give the fighter jet the same radar profile as a 747, the you may as well not be bothering”. Still I wouldn't worry too much, they wont ever be fighting anyone important. |
Originally Posted by weemonkey
(Post 10332451)
Well somebody does!
An RAF source told the Sunday Express: “This situation obviously has to be rectified before the plane enters operational service”. They said Mr Williamson and RAF chief Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier had always been aware of the problem. "But Air Commodore Andrew Lambert, a former RAF director of defence studies, said: “Lockheed Martin says it’s better now, but it takes just one scratch to give the fighter jet the same radar profile as a 747, the you may as well not be bothering”. . |
Whilst this chap may have more relevant experience in his CV can I suggest that Dir of Studies has no relevance whatsoever in the field of LO maintenance? |
Originally Posted by weemonkey
(Post 10332451)
"Another company spokesman said: “Stealth maintenance on the F-35 is proving to be a significant success. It requires less maintenance and…is easier, more affordable and faster to repair compared to previous low-observable aircraft”.
"But Air Commodore Andrew Lambert, a former RAF director of defence studies, said: “Lockheed Martin says it’s better now, but it takes just one scratch to give the fighter jet the same radar profile as a 747, the you may as well not be bothering”. |
Anyone who uses the phrase ‘fighter jet’ probably jumps the queue for instant dismissal!😉 |
Surprised you haven't posted this already, Spaz. RAAF F-35A's arrive at RAAF Base Williamtown.
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NutLoose, you are about three weeks late to that show.
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Tokyo set to become second biggest F-35 operator
The Japanese cabinet has approved a plan to add an additional 105 Lockheed Martin F-35s to its planned fleet of 42 examples, potentially making it the world’s second largest F-35 operator. In a press briefing, the chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga confirmed that the country’s Medium Term Defence Program has been approved by the cabinet. Of Tokyo’s eventual F-35 fleet of 147 examples, it is likely that 107 will be conventional take-off and landing F-35As, while 40 will be short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35Bs. Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that a fleet of this size would make Tokyo the second largest operator of the F-35 type after the United States, and putting it ahead of the United Kingdom. |
Already covered in detail on the Japanese Carrier thread. https://www.pprune.org/military-avia...carrier-5.html |
Perhaps they have found a new use for whale oil.
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As they say in Ireland, "Whale Oil Beef Hooked"
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Originally Posted by KG86
(Post 10341360)
As they say in Ireland, "Whale Oil Beef Hooked"
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Originally Posted by weemonkey
(Post 10332451)
Well somebody does!
An RAF source told the Sunday Express: “This situation obviously has to be rectified before the plane enters operational service”. They said Mr Williamson and RAF chief Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier had always been aware of the problem. "Another company spokesman said: “Stealth maintenance on the F-35 is proving to be a significant success. It requires less maintenance and…is easier, more affordable and faster to repair compared to previous low-observable aircraft”. "But Air Commodore Andrew Lambert, a former RAF director of defence studies, said: “Lockheed Martin says it’s better now, but it takes just one scratch to give the fighter jet the same radar profile as a 747, the you may as well not be bothering”. Still I wouldn't worry too much, they wont ever be fighting anyone important. I think they may be referring to the IR spray coat? I haven't really gone into it a lot. I would assume there may be an additional final protective coat, for the IR coating. |
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