JSF's Price Tag

The Defense Department's latest Selected Acquisition Report for the Joint Strike Fighter shows a $4.5 billion drop in the program's total price, to $391 billion, as of the end of 2012, according to press reports.

Those reports prompted prime contractor Lockheed Martin to release a statement touting the F-35 program's progress as reflected in the SAR:

Lockheed Martin is pleased with the $4.5 billion reduction in acquisition, operating and support costs reflected in the 2012 Selected Acquisition Report (SAR 12). This is the first year a cost reduction was noted. We will work with the F-35 Joint Program Office to implement further cost saving measures, which will result in additional significant decreases to the total program cost. The top priority of the government/contractor team is to continue to cost-effectively deliver the F-35's unprecedented 5th generation capabilities to the warfighter.