The Pentagon’s newly issued selected acquisition report to Congress notes a $4.5 billion reduction in the acquisition, operating, and support costs of the F-35 strike fighter program. Prime contractor Lockheed Martin said this marks the first time that a SAR reflects a cost reduction in the program. “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 costs,” said a company spokeswoman. The F-35 aircraft program has an estimated total cost of $326.9 billion, down 1.5 percent from the previous $331.9 billion estimate, states the report, issued on May 23. However, that savings is partially offset by a $442 million increase in the costs of F-35 engine acquisition, which jumped from $63.9 billion to $64.3 billion. Those costs rose primarily due to revised escalation indices, correction of cost allocations between the aircraft and engine subprograms, and a lower ramp-up of engine production in the near term, states the report.
Dick Cheney’s Legacy with the Air Force
Nov. 6, 2025
Dick Cheney, who died Nov. 3 at 84, is best remembered by most Americans as among the most powerful Vice Presidents in history, a consummate Washington insider who had previously served in the Nixon administration, was Chief of Staff for President Gerald Ford, a Congressman for a decade, and Secretary…
