F-35 fighter - The most expensive weapon program in American history

The F-35 stealth fighter, expected to replace most US fighter fleets, has become the most expensive weapon program in history and is being closely monitored in the financial context. Public tightening.

The F-35 is criticized as looking like white elephant

After a series of delays and excess funding, the program is now expected to consume a huge budget of about $ 382 billion for 2,443 F-35s.

This fifth generation fighter was built with features to help avoid enemy radars and ensure America's number one position in the sky in the coming decades.

But now there is a risk of competition from China, which this week revealed the country's first stealth fighter and caused a sense of military rivalry between the two powers.

In the US, the F-35, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is increasingly facing criticism even from some officials at the Pentagon.

Defense officials say the initial cost has now doubled, causing each F-35 to cost up to $ 92 million . There is also a time issue, because the project signed in 2001 is expected to be completed in 10 years but is delayed until 2016 due to design and testing issues.

Lockheed Martin, in partnership with Northrop Grumman (USA) and BAE Systems (UK), is developing three F-35 versions, designed for ground attacks as well as reconnaissance missions. The F-35A was designed to replace the F-16 and A-10 in the US Air Force, while the F-35C is expected to be deployed on carriers to replace the F-18, and the F-35B is capable of Quick takeoff and vertical wing nuts and expected replacement of Harrier aircraft.

An F-35 participated in the Singapore Airshow 2010 air show.

US defense minister Robert Gates warned that excess costs could not continue and expressed a particular concern about the fast takeoff and vertical landing.

For the F-35B version, Mr. Gates asked for a plane for two years and added that ' if we can't get this version at that time and bring it back in the right direction in terms of operational aspect, cost and schedule, I believe it will be canceled . '

Due to escalating costs, the Pentagon decided to postpone the purchase of 124 of 449 F-35s until 2016.

Analysts say that the F-35 is increasingly becoming a " miner ".

'No military or civilian program has been delayed and exceeded in the past decade, ' said Richard Aboulafia, aviation industry analyst from Teal Group.

However, it is difficult to make many changes to the F-35 program because the UK and 7 other countries are also closely involved in the development of this aircraft.

The US is currently responsible for 90% of F-35 costs and development, but Britain, Italy, Turkey, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Australia also participate.

Other countries, including Israel and Singapore, have signed a contract to buy the aircraft.

'The US wants a globalized F-35 program for economic and strategic reasons. It helps simplify logistics and training in coalition battles.

Dominating the military export industry is certainly also a goal. F-35 is more like an industrial policy than a fighter plane , "said Aboulafia analyst.