 |
| Rate of Cost Growth for F-35A exceeds all previous Fighters |
 |
| SBIRS Architecture |
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| Advanced Extremely High Frequency |
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| Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) |
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| F-35A |
Key Findings
Continuing Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) Have Higher Average Cost Growth than Those That Are Complete
- Average
cost growth in all acquisition metrics except development is
substantially higher in continuing Air Force MDAPs than those that are
now complete. - Three continuing space programs with extreme cost growth drive the
higher cost growth in the group of continuing MDAPs. - Space-Based Infrared System, High Component;
- Advanced Extremely High Frequency; and
- Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)
- However, in dollar
terms, cost growth in the Air Force portion of the F-35 program (F-35A)
is by far the largest of all programs. - Thus far, there is minimal cost growth in MDAPs begun in the past ten years that have substantial Air Force funding.
- Four MDAPs in aggregate are expected to consume a large fraction of
annual Air Force MDAP acquisition funding in the coming 20 years: - F-35A,
- EELV,
- KC-46A, and
- the Long-Range Strike Bomber.
 |
| KC-46A |
Recommendations
- Four programs in aggregate are expected to consume a large
fraction of annual Air Force weapon system investment funding in the
coming 20 years: F-35A, EELV, KC-46A, and the Long Long-Range Strike
Bomber. The first two are well along in the acquisition process but have
decades of production to come. Opportunity remains to stem the cost
growth in these programs. The second two are earlier in the acquisition
process and thus provide even greater opportunities to ensure
affordability and minimal future cost growth. Controlling the cost of
these four high-value programs is essential to ensuring both their
affordability and that of the entire Air Force weapon system acquisition
portfolio for decades to come.
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