art wrote:Yes, I am aware that DSCA numbers are not final contract numbers. It remains a mystery to me that the number for the Super Hornet package is higher than the number for the F-35 package when (as far as I know) the flyaway cost of the former is considerably lower than the latter.
In 2019, Super Hornet maker Boeing won a $4-billion multi-year contract to buy 78 Super Hornets through FY 2021.
https://news.usni.org/2020/02/10/navy-c ... on-fighter
The USN has operated the type for 20 years. They don't need to pay for any of the non-recurring costs associated with the airframe, no spares, nor training programs, no FMS fees, no vendor support etc.
If we consider the DSCA price for the Kuwait deal for 40 aircraft, although ended up only acquiring 28, was US$10.1 billion,
The estimated cost is $10.1 billion.
https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/g ... ft-supportor the Canadian SH initial approval for 18 aircraft,
The estimated total case value is $5.23 billion.
https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/g ... ft-supportYou can see the inclusions at the links above but include aircraft, engines, radars, TGT pods, HMS, MIDS terminals, countermeasures, CATM missiles, pylons, launchers, radios, EW equipment, mission planning software etc.
Compared to Kuwait the Swiss seem to be getting a good deal although they likely require less contractor support and Boeing, after the USN cancelled the follow on Super Hornet order you quoted, might be in more of a mood for bargining. As for the F-35 price, it really shouldn't surprise as the aircraft is manufacturing over 140 a year now. Two years ago Belgium's F-35 DSCA notice was US$6.53 billion for 34 aircraft and a year ago Poland's DSCA for 32 F-35s was US$6.5 billion. I expect that Poland and Belgium will acquire support equipment and weapons as well as other capabilities and that inflates the cost but the Swiss also are benefiting from the high production rate and order stability.