F-35 Costs are Rising, says GAO

By: Chris Pocock

March 17, 2008
Aircraft

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will cost much more than currently predicted, and the expected cost per flight hour already exceeds that of the F-16, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). In its latest annual report to Congress on the JSF, the GAO said cost and schedule pressures are mounting, and the development schedule “is likely to slip from 12 to 27 months.

The GAO did report progress in “several important areas,” but still repeated its previous view that production of the JSF is being ramped up too soon. In a previous story on the F-35 program, it was reported that Lockheed Martin and key manufacturing partners BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman were striving to drive down production cost.

But the GAO recently said Lockheed Martin adjusted the manufacturing schedule three times because of design changes, delayed parts deliveries and “manufacturing inefficiencies. According to the GAO, the first test aircraft required 35 percent more labor hours (65,000 more manhours) to build than planned.

This contradicts briefings that the program partners have given to the media, including AIN. Lockheed Martin and the F-35 program office in the Pentagon are preparing a new acquisition cost estimate, “which is expected to be much larger than what is now budgeted,” the GAO said.

Back

Bombardier Maritime Patrol Aircraft for UAE Passes Critical Milestone November 20, 2009 The Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) for the UAE passed its critical design review phase, keeping the program on schedule.... [more]
Boeing Markets Yet Another AH-6 Helicopter Derivative November 20, 2009 The debut of the Boeing AH-6i light attack/reconnaissance helicopter at the Dubai Airshow this month was just the latest iteration in this... [more]
‘Complex’ UAE Plan To Buy Rafale Jets Proceeds November 20, 2009 Although the supply of French Rafale combat jets to the UAE was not finalized at the Dubai Airshow, there were plenty of indications that... [more]
UAE Selects Basic Trainer and “Interim” AEW&C Aircraft November 20, 2009 Breaking with a tradition that has seen major military procurements signed and announced only in Abu Dhabi, the UAE government sealed deals for... [more]
Indonesia Chooses Russian and Chinese Trainers November 20, 2009 Recently installed chief of staff of the Indonesian air force vice marshal Imam Safaat outlined a modernization plan for the service’s pilot... [more]