A decision by the Air Force to extend the intended service life of the F-35 by six years added $45 billion to the program's most recent life cycle operation and sustainment cost estimate -- an increase the program's top official says masks a 2 to 4 percent drop in real sustainment costs. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's 2015 selected acquisition report , which was delivered to Congress March 24, reflects a $12.1 billion drop in total acquisition costs. The joint...
