These packages include much more than just airframes(i.e. you can’t divide the total by the # of aircraft, to get the flyaway cost).
Oh yes, I know – there must be some long lead items, and infrastructure that will be amortized over the life of the program included in the 5b. It just seems curious that neither side is in a hurry to to publicize the pricing deal that was cut – I suppose that it might have something to do with the Senate hearings this week, and possibly some technical procurement issue (the FY is ending in a few days – gotta spend the money.) There was talk in the Senate of zeroing out the JSF purchases for next FY – not just cutting 10. I just can’t see that happening, but it reflects Congress’ frustration with the program.
You would think, though, if a breakthrough pricing deal was cut, both sides would want to squawk about it. LM “saying, look, we told ya so, and here’s the proof,” while the DoD can claim that they have finally got the costs under control. What was really interesting was the pricing of the earlier lots, and those did not include the engines…
Also, I use the AUPC – and not a flyaway flavor -as the true cost of the aircraft, but we differ on that approach. I understand your preference.
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