Demon Lord Razgriz said:
Sea Typhoon would be more expensive than the JSF, surprising as that may be. Anywho, if the MoD axes the 2014 JSF purchases, they'll more than likely buy Super Hornets and then several years later, buy used JSFs once the prices comes down.
One quick note. As a number of analysts, including Loren Thompson of the well-respected Lexington Institute, point out, that actual cost of the F-35 is nowhere near the hysterical estimated numbers being quoted in the general, and sometimes defense, press. Those
estimated numbers are based on historical data from the F/A-18 and F-22 programs and other older programs and how much they truly overran, and are based upon assumptions about the future that are unknowable. The estimated prices generally quoted
assume that the F-35 will experience overruns as much as they did, or larger. The test program is going too slowly, true, and that increases cost, as does the constant cutback in quantity (this can create a self-fulfilling prophecy). However, those estimates are not what the Pentagon actually uses when negotiating for each Lot,
those starting point numbers are much less and the price being paid is coming in less than that. For example, it looks like the price that will be paid for this year's buy will be 27-30 or so % less than what the estimates predicted it would be at this point. It looks like F-35A unit recurring flyaway costs will be about what is paid for a late model F-16 or F/A-18E/F.
More on this probably belongs over on the F-35 forum.
