Pentagon says F-35 fighter jet's cost has doubled

[unhappycamper]

Pentagon says F-35 fighter jet's cost has doubled
By Anne Flaherty and Pauline Jelinek, The Associated Press
Stars and Stripes online edition, Friday, March 12, 2010

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Thursday the cost to build its next-generation fighter jet has doubled to as much as $113 million per plane since 2001.

The bad news about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program, delivered Thursday to Congress, was swiftly denounced by lawmakers who said runaway spending on major weapons systems has become all too common.

“The taxpayers are a little tired of this, and I can’t say that I blame them,” Arizona Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said during a hearing Thursday.

The sheer size of the Defense Department’s F-35 program, the biggest of its kind, makes it the fattest target for cutbacks by lawmakers who say money should go to other priorities.

The program also calls into question whether defense companies are winning contracts by bidding low, only to raise costs later.


Rest of article about this so-to-be $239 million dollar wonder at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=68650

[ThomWV]

1. Then buy half as many of them

Easy solution, when the price goes up, buy fewer of them.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. No, buy twice as many

and go for the volume discount!

:rofl:

er, maybe I shouldn't give them any ideas.
:scared:

[Johonny]

12. Of course they suddenly got twice as good!

money=quality right:)

[City Lights]

3. I think it's time for them to hold a fund raiser.

Let the Pentagon sell candy bars, cookie dough, or wrapping paper.

[Aviation Pro]

4. “The taxpayers are a little tired of this, and I can’t say that I blame them,” Arizona Sen. John McC

And which taxpayers are you talking about, Senator Angry Old Prick? Maybe the other "Hey You Kids, Get Off My Lawn" types, but I have heard nary a complaint from the taxpayers that surround me.

Go fuck yourself and the simpleton from Wasilla, Grandpa.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Over 300 billion for these things by the time...

they're all built. Assuming no more overruns.

And we NEED them, they say.

For what? I say...

[Mari333]

6. keep these stats handy when people tell you

there is no money for social security, medicare, or universal health care.

[Vinnie From Indy]

7. This is the FAVORITE scam of defense contractors

They have been doing it for decades. I would doubt that there has ever been a weapons program that has EVER come in on budget.

[Bosso 63]

8. We need the F-35 to maintain air superiority against the Taliban.

Rumor has it that they have been developing a "stealth kite".

[piratefish08]

9. you weren't expecting a 'going out of business' sale anytime soon, were you?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

10. Much more expensive than jockey shorts bombs. Who we gonna need

to kill with all this military sophistication?? Anyone who doesn't toe the line.

[msongs]

11. these corporate bids are ALL lies and all the players know it in advance nt