When historians look back on the F-35 program and wonder how did the Pentagon allow itself to get hoodwinked ... again ... its gonna make some fascinating reading.
But for the early critics...the Sweetman, Goon, Kopp, Palmers etc...they're going to have to look themselves in the mirror and kick themselves hard for focusing on tech---instead of costs.
We can't get the ACV and/or MPC done because the F-35 and MV-22 are raping the Marine Corps budget. Its so bad that now the F-35 program is killing off the Ground Combat Vehicle for the Army, endangering the AMPV, the JLTV, killing off USAF squadrons, and even causing deeper personnel cuts than is advisable.
All because leadership is being sold the idea that airpower can finally deliver on the promise of winning wars by itself...or that airpower and SOCOM can keep the bad guys at bay.
But I guess better late than never.
The cost of the airplane is FINALLY getting airtime. The Navy's strategy is FINALLY becoming obvious.
But it might be too late. Leadership failed us again on this issue. The battle should have been about cost, not tech...and thats where the war might have been lost.
Read about the cost battle over at Aviation Week here.
