Cost overruns on upgrading the on-board computer for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters
What is known
In 2018, Lockheed Martin and the MinistryUS Defense Forces signed a contract to upgrade the computer in the F-35 in the amount of $ 712 million. Even then, there were fears that the real cost would be higher, and they were justified.
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The cost overrun on the project is almost doubletimes the value of the contract. The modernization program, including an additional $236 million, already requires $680 million more than originally estimated. Thus, the total value of the contract is almost $1.4 billion.
According to the terms of the deal, all costs will be borne bythemselves American taxpayers and allied countries that are involved in the development of the fifth generation fighter. Another problem is lagging behind the delivery schedule. This also negatively affects the financing of the project.
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Separately, it should be noted that the overspending onmodernization is negligible compared to the total cost of the F-35 program, which is already $412 billion. Lockheed Martin won the Lightning II contract in 2001. At that time, the program was estimated at $223 billion. As you can see, the cost has grown by almost 85% over 20 years. Moreover, over the past year, the project has risen in price by $14 billion.
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Rising spending slightly overshadows a positive year forF-35 Lightning II. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fifth-generation fighters began to be in great demand. The list of recent foreign customers includes Greece, Germany, Finland and Switzerland. A total of 875 fighters were delivered, and the total F-35 Lightning II fleet could potentially increase to 3,300 units.
Images: Lockheed Martin, National Defense Magazine, Defense News