F-35 maintenance costs soar, Pentagon considers cheaper alternatives

[rangerrebew]

F-35 maintenance costs soar, Pentagon considers cheaper alternatives
Story by Sławomir Zagórski • 1h


The costs of maintaining the F-35 are increasing at an alarming rate. Even Americans were unprepared for this and pondered how to address the issues. The Pentagon is considering acquiring another inexpensive fighter jet that could replace the F-35.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, the American equivalent of Poland's Supreme Audit Office, has published a report that offers little optimism to the users of the multi-role F-35 Lightning II aircraft.
 
The auditors noted that "projected costs for sustaining the F-35s have continued to rise from $1.1 trillion in 2018 to $1.58 trillion five years later (a 44% increase)." Officials estimate that these costs will increase even further in the coming years.

The authors of the report wrote that Department of Defense officials essentially agree that efforts are unlikely to fundamentally change the estimated operating costs of the aircraft.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/f-35-maintenance-costs-soar-pentagon-considers-cheaper-alternatives/ar-BB1n1ZZ5?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=4ef17b63c7e4415aba137eeb9fa2c947&ei=12

[rangerrebew]

Pentagon considers cheaper alternatives

They could try Sopwith Camels.  They're too slow to be shot down.

[Timber Rattler]

The solution is drones, unfortunately.