What Does Life Extension For Lockheed F-35 Mean?

[unhappycamper]

http://www.bidnessetc.com/66135-life-extension-lockheed-f35-mean/



What Does Life Extension For Lockheed F-35 Mean?
By Hassan Ali on Mar 26, 2016 at 10:02 am EST

The Lockheed Martin Corporation's (NYSE:LMT) F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program has been riddled with cost overruns and development delays. Those costs are expected to increase, since the lifespan of the aircraft, labelled a one-of-a-kind stealth jet, has been extended.

According to Joint Program Office Chief Lieutenant General Christopher Bogdan, the total lifespan has been increased by 1.6 million hours. While talking at the Pentagon, Mr. Bogdan was reported to have said that the program is now expected to last till 2070.

~snip~

Increased lifespan and program cost

Earlier, the program was expected to retire by 2064. The increased lifespan means a higher number of flight hours, and therefore a substantial increase in maintenance costs. This translates into a more expensive program for the Pentagon, and ultimately US taxpayers.

The Pentagon estimates that half of the projected cost of the program would be used in maintenance and operational costs. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the extension has taken the estimated cost for the program to $1.13 trillion. That price tag had been put at $900 million in 2009.

[Downwinder]

1. Instead of being declared dead at the scene,

it will die en route or at the hospital.