The F-35 fighter jet, set to replace a large part of
the US warplane fleet, has become the most expensive weapons program
ever, drawing increased scrutiny at a time of tight public finances.
Following a series of cost overruns and delays, the program is now
expected to cost a whopping 382 billion dollars, for 2,443 aircraft.
The so-called 5th generation fighter was built with features designed to
help avoid enemy radar and ensure American supremacy in the skies for
decades.
But there is now the potential for competition from China, which this
week unveiled its first radar-evading combat aircraft and fueled a sense
of a military rivalry between the two powers.
At home, the Lockheed Martin F-35 is getting increased criticism even from some at the Pentagon.
Defense officials say the original cost estimates have now doubled to make each plane's price tag reach some 92 million dollars.
At the same time, the contract awarded in 2001 had been planned to last
10 years, but has been extended to 2016 because of testing and design
issues.
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