Thanks for the article Andrew!
via Reuters.
1. There are problems with the C model and the Navy is planning on increasing the number of F-18's because the delay will cause the price to go up....or....
2. The C is coming in at a price that is unpalatable so they will accept a decreased number and increased price and make up with it by buying more F-18s.
Either way, its becoming increasingly obvious that the DEATH SPIRAL is here. More ominously for F-35 zealots is the fact that the naval services are going to be buying what are essentially unique planes that will not generate the cost/maintenance/training savings that have been forecasted. Quite honestly the possibility of an outright cancellation of the C model remains.
(Reuters) - The U.S. Navy remains committed to the Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, but is also looking at options to buy additional Boeing Co (BA.N) F/A-18 fighter jets, a senior U.S. Navy official said on Tuesday.This is one of two things...
Richard Gilpin, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for air programs, told Reuters that current plans still called for purchases of the Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18G electronic attack planes to end in fiscal 2014.
He said the U.S. military would have to act soon to ensure continued production of the F/A-18 beyond 2016, but said no decisions had been made at this point.
He denied that those discussions signaled any wavering of the Navy's commitment to the F-35 program. "Let me be clear. The Navy is very committed to moving to JSF. I wouldn't want you to get the impression that the Navy is not committed to JSF, because we are," Gilpin said.
He said a possible budget-driven pause in procurement of the Navy's F-35 C-model would not derail the program, although it could potentially increase the cost of each airplane.
1. There are problems with the C model and the Navy is planning on increasing the number of F-18's because the delay will cause the price to go up....or....
2. The C is coming in at a price that is unpalatable so they will accept a decreased number and increased price and make up with it by buying more F-18s.
Either way, its becoming increasingly obvious that the DEATH SPIRAL is here. More ominously for F-35 zealots is the fact that the naval services are going to be buying what are essentially unique planes that will not generate the cost/maintenance/training savings that have been forecasted. Quite honestly the possibility of an outright cancellation of the C model remains.
