The most expensive weapon system of all times

[Glock30Eric]

Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat

all very nice, but it has nothing to do with the F35.

current funding for the F35 program was U.S. $11.4 billion for the 2011 year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militar..._United_States

yes, a nice chunk of change, but cutting the program will have only a small impact on the deficit. In addition, the program is a one time cost, once the aircrafts are purchased, you are only talking about maintenance/repair.

The largest item in the budget is the war in Afghanistan, still U.S. $159.3 Billion in 2011.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financi...f_the_Iraq_War

Once the troops are home, that expense goes way down.

In addition, its not just a U.S. problem, many countries have to replace their aging fighter fleet. Canada will have to make a decision soon on replacing its CF-18s. Australia just paid AUS $2.9 billion for 24 F/A-18Fs, which works out to US $141 million per plane. Compared to that, the estimated US $150-175 million per plane for the CTOL F-35A looks like a bargain, especially since it will have a useful design life of at least 20 years longer than the F/A-18.

No matter how you look it, cutting new equipment spending is the least efficient way to balance a budget.

Well. I really don't think we need F-35. Our ships can take an enemy plane down easily with our long range missiles. Missiles are way cheaper than a plane with manned pilot.

Abolish F-35 and buy a massive amount of missiles like a ratio 10 missiles for every a fighter plane in the world. It will take care of it self. If they evaded one missile then they should be expecting nine more coming at them, furiously.

We need a long range bombers and really good CAS plane like A-10 to minimize the budget with very effective military force.

IMO, the fighter/bomber obsoleted the battleship in WW2. Right now a high tech missile obsoleted the planes and carriers. I don't think there will be a way to obsolete a submarine near in future, unless they send out a massive unmanned submarine/mine drones in the whole ocean part.

NAVAIR is developing unmanned air drone and it could downsize the carrier and planes.