New DOD F-35 contracts

DOD released more F-35 contracts today. Not included were the actual airframe and jet-engine contracts for LRIP-5. Those should appear Monday.

Today gives a partial indication of costs for LRIP-6:

Today's LRIP-6 total: about $4.6B. Adding previous LRIP-6 contracts (long-lead parts) bring this batch up to approximately $5.3B without jet engines or other costs needed to get them into squadron service. LRIP-6 production also means these aircraft should have TR2 hardware needed to drive Block 3 software.

Also today, LRIP-5 gained another $17M for initial spares specific to the USAF. And, there was a non-LRIP contract of $48M for, "studies to determine the feasibility, practicality, desirability, or supportability of various F-35 Lightning II air systems".

Back in 2003, it was assumed LRIP-5 would be 120 aircraft. LRIP-6 would be 168. Then also, LRIP-6 was to be the last low-rate-initial production batch. After that: full rate production.

Interesting, as some are still deluded enough to think this failed program is "affordable".