Is this article a little too much of the truth for officials to bear the taste?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:16:44 -0400

This article points out several points that others have made in the discussions about the F-35 replacing the A-10. Especially about how, no matter what the initial price tag is, it will inevitably go up because contractors & services will want to add new toys to the platform. Also, are they taking into account the changing landscape of warfare?

What say you? What points do you agree with? Any issues with the article?

Almost Nobody Believes the U.S. Air Force Can Build an Affordable Bomber

The last time the U.S. Air Force developed a stealth bomber, the planes cost $2.2 billion each and couldn’t sit out in the rain.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 11:21 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:21:40 -0400

We can and could if Congress could stay out of it!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 22 at 2015 11:37 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:37:11 -0400

I am dubious of a branch that claims the A-10 is too archaic in an environment where the capability can not be reproduced by another air craft.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 12:14 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:14:25 -0400

It wasn't so bad back in the day Congress would approve a new aircraft, ship, tank, or weapons system; because the competition to land the contract for the right manufacturer with the reward of having it built in the Congressman's home district was an all-or-nothing contest. It was only when Congress (under the influence of the rich and powerful defense industry lobby) discovered that it was far more beneficial to everyone in the majority party to parcel out the manufacturing process of a single project across many districts, spreading the wealth, and thereby building the support for projects that all too often now, the Congress and the defense industry wants to see developed and implemented, but the Service Chiefs and their subordinates in the field will adamantly attest we simply do not need now, nor will we need for the foreseeable future!

And then there's the stuff that these Civilians, with absolutely NO military service, force upon us; Sailors, do you wish to discuss the "Green Navy" initiative and what effect that is having on your budgets?

5 Insanely Wasteful Projects the Pentagon is Spending Your Money On

Forget the $16 muffin: our nation's military is throwing away jaw-dropping amounts of your money for projects leading nowhere.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 12:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:22:28 -0400

The A10 was purpose built and is arguably the best ground attack platform ever built. Yes, it is getting old but it is still the best plane for the job. Rather than dump billions into a "jack of all trades, master on none" platform, have Fairchild reopen the assembly line and start building a modernized A10. Do not fix what is not broken.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Apr 22 at 2015 3:04 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:04:58 -0400

Personally I think that between the contractors and the politicians that nothing can ever be under budget or get designed and built to specification the first time.
Seems that no matter what is proposed it ends up costing a few hundred million or a few billion more and that the item is never up to initial specifications but gets sent out for trial and error testing.
If it were up to me I would offer the project for bid and once that bid is accepted then once you go over budget or try to add on any "special features" its out of the contractors pocket. If you cannot deliver on time then I would deduct a percentage of the overall cost for each day or month that delivery as promised could not be made.
We need to stop overpaying for things that we need for our military to do their jobs.
Stop the fraud, waste and abuse that has been tearing our budgets to shreds.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 9:22 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 21:22:10 -0400

Rebuild the infrastructure, forget about carriers and the F-35, China does not have an amphibious fleet to take a forward base, no carriers and NO way to project their best fighter to US soil.

Response by PO2 Michael Stinar made Apr 23 at 2015 11:54 AM

PO2 Michael Stinar — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 11:54:13 -0400

And then you have the Navy building a new Class of Aircraft Carrier that cost as much as 3 times the amount of 1 current front line carrier, please someone tell me what's wrong with that picture...

Response by PO2 Michael Stinar made Apr 23 at 2015 11:57 AM

PO2 Michael Stinar — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 11:57:39 -0400

And then you have the Navy building a new Class of Aircraft Carrier that cost as much as 3 times the amount of 1 current front line carrier, please someone tell me what's wrong with that picture...