GR66
Army.ca Veteran
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I've got a very general question about the costs of modern fighter aircraft. There is often the argument heard that F-15s and F-18s don't make sense because they are basically 70s technology at the same or higher cost than the F-35.
Why are these older aircraft not any cheaper than they are? Are the production methods used on the F-35 that much more efficient than that of the older aircraft? Hasn't Boeing had 40 years of experience in production of these airframes to optimize their production (i.e. maximize their profit on each unit), or is it simply a matter of low-rate production costs vs. high-rate production costs? Are the efficiency differences really that great between the two (Lockheed and Boeing) production lines?
Or is it because the actual airframe itself is not the major cost in the production of the aircraft and the major price component comes from the electronics and avionics installed in the aircraft? So if you're installing the latest and greatest AESA radar and advanced combat information systems in ANY aircraft you're likely to be pushing $100 million per copy whether it's installed in an F-35, and F-15, a Scorpion or a Twin Otter?
Why are these older aircraft not any cheaper than they are? Are the production methods used on the F-35 that much more efficient than that of the older aircraft? Hasn't Boeing had 40 years of experience in production of these airframes to optimize their production (i.e. maximize their profit on each unit), or is it simply a matter of low-rate production costs vs. high-rate production costs? Are the efficiency differences really that great between the two (Lockheed and Boeing) production lines?
Or is it because the actual airframe itself is not the major cost in the production of the aircraft and the major price component comes from the electronics and avionics installed in the aircraft? So if you're installing the latest and greatest AESA radar and advanced combat information systems in ANY aircraft you're likely to be pushing $100 million per copy whether it's installed in an F-35, and F-15, a Scorpion or a Twin Otter?