Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      F-35 Lightning II costs drop, report showsPublished March 26, 2015
                    
                    By Terri Moon Cronk
                    
                    
                    DoD News, Defense Media Activity
            **WASHINGTON (AFNS) --**A recent account of F-35 Lightning II aircraft program costs shows decreases, the Air Force’s F-35 program executive officer told reporters in a media roundtable March 24, 2015.
Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan, citing this year’s selected acquisition report on the aircraft, called the roundtable to clarify cost and performance facts. He also acknowledged the program has been over budget and is six years late.
“In 2001, we thought we’d be done a long time before now,” Bogdan said. But that was before various issues arose, ranging from a security breach to a redesign of one of the F-35 models that was 3,000 pounds over its weight standard.**Changes in 2010**
After the 2010 rebaseline took effect, the program took a turn for the better. 
“We have not changed a major milestone in this program, not one,” the general said.
Bogdan emphasized the importance of looking at where the F-35 program is today and not where it’s been. Much of the cost savings in this year’s report stem from research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E), along with procurement and operating and support elements, he said.
As an example, Bogdan mentioned that RDT&E has not seen cost increases in four years.
“The three predominant things that drive (operations and support) costs are manpower, fuel and inflation ... (which) can mask any true cost reduction, and that’s exactly what happened this year,” he said, adding that the report reflected readjusted inflation rates.
Procurement costs also were down $3 billion from last year, partly because of better negotiated costs, he said.**Balancing technical challenges, service needs**
“Every program has technical challenges,” Bogdan said. “You find things you don’t expect and you have to fix (and test) them.” 
He said the software that handles the mechanics of the aircraft produced challenges for the F-35, especially for mission systems.  Bogdan projects the final software to be four to six months behind schedule, “if we don’t do anything differently.”
When the program was rebaselined, he said, it wasn’t known the services -- Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy -- would set initial operational capability dates. But accommodations were made to get the aircraft to the services on time.
“We have 109 airplanes out there now, and 28,500 hours of flying time,” he said.
Overall, the major milestones, aircraft delivery and other commitments did not fundamentally change, Bogdan said, and the F-35’s safety is good. 
“I wouldn’t put anything in the field I myself wouldn’t fly,” he noted.cost savings 



F-35 Lightning II 



F-35 Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF Kendall visits Bangor ANG Base
                    
                    Vice President Harris congratulates USAFA Class of ‘24
                    
                    Senate confirms Melissa Dalton as next Under Secretary of the Air Force
                    
                    ‘One Team, One Fight’: SecAF visits Keesler AFB
                    
                    SecAF Kendall experiences VISTA of future flight test at Edwards AFBInnovation
                AFSFC reaches final phase of fielding Model Defender gear
                    
                    Around the Air Force: PCS Allowances, Air Task Forces, All-Volunteer Force
                    
                    AFIMSC focuses I-WEPTAC topics on GPC solutions
                    
                    Optimizing AI, Air University hosts Artificial Intelligence Symposium
                    
                    AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAFMAJCOM News
                AFMC to expand AcqDemo workforce
                    
                    AFMC empowers small businesses for Air Force reoptimization
                    
                    Acquisition Instructor Course Class 25A open for nominations
                    
                    Air Guard leaders host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
                    
                    Referral bonuses aim to help fill mission-critical vacancies
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil