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Originally Posted by Dr.Sid
What I heard is that Virginia was supposed to be cheaper, but it finished on like 80-90% of the price of SW. On the other hand, it is modular, easy to upgrade, has some revolutional concepts (like non-penetrating masts). It has everything to stay in service for a long time.
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Part of what makes submarines so expensive these days is that the force requirements are so low, so only low production rates are required to meet the force level requirements. Low rate production is always more expensive per unit than cracking out a bazillion of submarines, but that's not what the Navy needs.
I think the real loser program in the defense budget right now is the F-22. I know the Airforce is willing to sell it's soul to build the thing, but it's SO expensive. Compared to the JSF (which isn't cheap at all), it isn't clear at all that they'll be able to really justify it. I think the Airforce is going to be the big loser in all future defense budgets until someone manages to kill that program.