Navy F-35C $131M vs $75M for Super Hornet --- ===
The Navy catapault launched F-35C costs nearly 50% more than Air Force F-35A, and has more problems because of folding wing had to be redesigned to handle buffeting in dogfights and fire a Sidewinder off the wingtip rail, and withstand forces of catapault launch. The Marine version was harder to design, but short takeoffs and vertical landings don't have the violent G forces of a catapault launch.
Feb 3, 2015 Aviation week: http://aviationweek.com/defense/f-35cs-cut-back-us-navy-invests-standoff-weapons
In fiscal 2020, each of the 12 F-35Cs has a gross weapon system unit cost of $144 million (44% more than the Air Force’s F-35A) and a flyaway cost of $131 million. The weapon system unit cost of the F-35B averages $147 million at its full 20/year production rate. In total, 2020 the Navy expects to spend $4.7 billion for 32 F-35s in 2020. In 2013, the service spent $3.7 billion for 49 new fighters, comprising 37 F/A-18E/Fs and 12 EA-18Gs.
No comments:
Post a Comment