U.S. Air Force Says It Will Take Years To Lower The Cost Of Flying The F-35 To Match The Cost Of Flying The F-15EX

F-35A Lightning II test aircraft assigned to the 31st Test Evaluation Squadron from Edwards Air Force Base, California, released AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X missiles at QF-16 targets during a live-fire test over an Air Force range in the Gulf of Mexico on June 12, 2018. The Joint Operational Test Team conducted the missions as part of Block 3F Initial Operational Test and Evaluation.

Defense Daily: Air Force Officials Say F-35 Will Take Years to Meet Cost Per Flying Hour of F-15EX

Air Force officials told lawmakers May 2 that while they continue to drive down the sustainment cost of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, it will be “multiple years” before it can reach the same cost per flying hour as an F-15EX.

Testifying before the House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Subcommittee Thursday, Vice Adm. Mat Winter, the F-35 program executive officer, said the F-35 Joint Program Office is targeting a cost per flying hour of $34,000 by Fiscal Year 2024.

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Update: One of the F-35′s cost goals may be unattainable (Defense News).

WNU Editor: I am willing to bet that they will never reach their promised target of $34,000 per flying hour.