F35 COST: A RISING CONCERN FOR THE UNITED STATES MILITARY


By bblouin
The 33rd Fighter Wing flew the F-35 Joint Operational Test Team. The F35 cost is becoming a concern for the U.S. military.

Even without the rising cost of parts and labor, the F35 cost is quite formidable. But such is the case when you’re purchasing one of the most elite aircrafts ever assembled. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II has multiple uses and can conduct its missions with a lethality and stealthy nature that is hard to find on a squadron, much less combined into one piece of aerospace equipment. From a production standpoint as well as the cost to maintain and operate the aircraft, the cost of an F35 continues to raise eyebrows. The old saying is that freedom isn’t free, and, in this case, it costs several million dollars. But the fate of the aircraft is now very much in doubt. Related read: Find Out the F-22 Raptor Top Speed and Other Fun Raptor Specs

How Much Does an F35 Cost?

As it stands, the F35 cost is rising because of the complexity of its technology, inflationary factors, and overall lower U.S. sales volume. The average of $75 million with the realistic possibility of costs ballooning to over $89 million when equipped with a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine means high costs for creating these fleets. Furthermore, it costs just under $42,000 per hour to operate the aircraft. The F-35 cost is also only predicted to grow, meaning that even while the U.S. Air Force (USAF) may continue to seek to lower costs through negotiation, the aircraft that has served since 2006 doesn’t appear to be getting easier on our budget any time soon. The developments come after the Pentagon completed an F-35 jet deal worth about $30 billion following declining costs. The trends that once led to a decrease in price are a thing of the past and they couldn’t have left at a worse time. There is now a consorted effort to improve our Air Force as tensions rise, and the F-35 now has an uncertain production future. Suggested read: The F-22 Raptor Cost Is Putting the Plane’s Production in Jeopardy

The Cost of Air Superiority is High

It’s easy to believe that the future of warfare is far off in the distance, but the political landscape and rising global tensions suggest otherwise. You don’t need to use scare tactics to understand that stressors are mounting, and unless you’ve been removed from society for over a year, you’ve likely heard of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. This creates an immediate need for a bolstered U.S. Air Force while other potential conflicts are setting up the framework for future hostilities down the line. Either way, the cost of F35 or any other aircraft continues to be justified by the idea of “what-ifs” along with growing defense budgets. If the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has its way, which it historically has, a new military budget record will be hit come the fiscal year 2024 to the tune of $842 billion. While the tens of millions it costs to purchase such aircraft is nothing to balk at, it becomes a lot more understandable and feasible when you have the deepest pockets in the world.

F35 Cost Makes Aircraft One of the Most Expensive in the Fleet of the USAF

When it comes to the most expensive aircraft in the military, averages are only part of the equation. Different components are going to cost more and certain needs and missions require specific advancements. Furthermore, the cost of the F35 is impressive, but it's still only one of the most expensive tools at the military's disposal. The top 10 most expensive military planes feature some eye-popping price tags, even in the name of national defense. Here are the aircrafts that ascend to such heights and the price we pay to manufacture such advanced craftsmanship:

  • B-2 Spirit ($737 million)
  • F-22 Raptor ($350 million)
  • C17A Globemaster III ($328 million)
  • P-8A Poseidon ($290 million)
  • VH-71 Kestrel ($241 million)
  • E-2D Advanced Hawkeye ($232 million)
  • F-35 Lightning II ($122 million)
  • V-22 Osprey ($118 million)
  • EA-18G Growler ($102 million)
  • F/A-18 Hornet ($94 million)

While still high, the F35 cost pales in comparison to other aircraft, such as the B-2 Spirit, which is as high as the stratosphere. Considering the aircraft can operate at insane speeds within the actual stratosphere, it’s a bit appropriate for the price tag. Read next: Newest Space Force Korea Unit Highlights Growing North Korea Threat


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