F-35 program breaches the $2 trillion cost threshold in new report to Congress

By Jason Sherman / September 5, 2024 at 3:45 PM
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program has reported a new cost estimate that breaks the $2 trillion barrier to acquire and operate, including a revised aircraft and engine tab of $485 billion that essentially doubles the original price tag formulated based on Lockheed Martin's design. This estimate -- which reflects a roughly $100 billion increase since the program’s 2010 Nunn-McCurdy breach prompted a concerted effort to rein in ballooning costs -- shows program costs in late 2023 as part of...

Not a subscriber? Sign up for 30 days free access to exclusive, behind-the-scenes reporting on defense policy and procurement.

Log in to access this content.