Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

U.S. F-35 fighter unit price quadrupled, now close to one hundred million U.S. dollars

newspaper freelance writer Rosenberg

recently, around the F-35 ( “Lightning Ⅱ”) a new fighter that the U.S. military described as mixed messages. First, in the January 8, F-35B fighters first short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) propulsion system test successful. A few days later, the United States, “Global Strategy” website reported on, F-35 prices have soared to the point that the military is difficult to accept.

vertical takeoff and landing system tested successfully

F-35 a total of three models: F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing aircraft used by Air Force; F- 35B is the short takeoff/vertical landing, mainly for the Marine Corps; F-35C carrier-based naval aircraft. U.S. Marines are ready to order 340 F-35B, fully replace the current service’s F/A-18 “Hornet” and the AV-8B “Harrier” fighter.

According to the U.S. “defense dialogue” website reported on January 8 test is the type of fighter short takeoff/vertical landing system of the first test, also conducted follow-up will be a short distance take off, hover and vertical landing the first series of tests. British BAE Systems chief pilot Gillingham Tomlinson, U.S. Eastern Time at 13:53 on the 8th driving F-35B aircraft to take off in the climb to 5,000 feet (about 1524 meters), speed of 210 (approximately every hours 388.9 km), the opening of the rod axis control STOVL propulsion system, and then slow down to 180 (333.4 km/h), and finally accelerate to 210, the entire process STOVL are open. STOVL opened a total of 14 minutes, Tomlinson at 14:41 return. F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin then announced that this test a success.

short takeoff/vertical landing is a carrier-based aircraft taking off and landing mode, using a unique engine design and power steering systems, offset planes taking off and landing when the forward speed, thus reducing the momentum of the deck, can greatly reduce the aircraft’s design and displacement requirements of these aircraft can increase the payload in order to improve combat effectiveness.

stand-alone costs quadruple

F-35B fighters STOL test was successful, so the military and the F-35 fans are excited. However, the “Global Strategy” net 15 to “F-35 to be sadly out” in the title calculations: Currently serving in the Marine Corps AV-8 and F-18C aircraft, flying 19,000 to spend one hour dollars, and plans to replace the former F-35B, which replaced the F-35C is more burn, at least an hour to spend $ 31,000. Analysts said, F-22 “Raptor” has been due to cost overruns, the Air Force to buy 381 scheduled, after a sharp drop in the soaring cost of 183, seems to have followed the U.S. Navy to reduce the F-35 purchases.

If the endurance of one hour will burn more than $ 30,000, but with costs, nearly $ 100 million unit purchase cost, enough to make every buyer is “head.” Because this aircraft is only the original price of $ 32.5 million, but in the past few years, development costs rose 1/3, plus inflation, titanium and other important factors such as rising raw material prices, an F-35 production costs up to $ 96 million, more than twice the original cost, and may continue to rise. “Global Strategy” network that cost overruns will make this amazing military “to spend more time to consider the renovation of existing aircraft, or use the F-35″.

U.S. Department of Defense plans to buy 2400 F-35 fighter jets, while selling another of its allies from 2000 to 3500. F-35 development program by the US-led international consortium to provide financial support, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and other countries, responsible for aircraft construction, and follow-up the next phase of research and development. If even the deep pockets of the U.S. Navy and Air Force, the introduction of this expensive aircraft are hesitant, the other participating countries will definitely want to purchase the number of “shrink.” Small order quantity, and unit costs naturally rise, creating a vicious cycle.