$14bn?

[C3PO]

https://eurasiantimes.com/f-35-stealth-fighter-jet-upgrade-pentagon-calls-it-immature/?amp
 

How on earth does a software upgrade cost $14bn?

[nighthawk2174]

You have to develop the software, test it, get it qualified by the FAA and various other agencies before even putting it on the jet, then the actual users of the jets will need to test the upgrade, then you need to actually set up the program to ship out the upgrades and install them (providing technical support) all of which costs money, and then you need to support that upgrade and provide fixes and updates over time.  Ohhh and you need to pay all of the people involved which considering this is an aerospace venture peoples paychecks are expensive.  So I can totally see how the costs would balloon up especially if there are delays or issues that need fixed which seems to be the case as indicated by the article.

Edited January 28, 2022 by nighthawk2174

[unlikely_spider]

3 minutes ago, nighthawk2174 said:

You have to develop the software, test it, get it qualified by the FAA and various other agencies before even putting it on the jet, then the actual users of the jets will need to test the upgrade, then you need to actually set up the program to ship out the upgrades and install them (providing technical support) all of which costs money, and then you need to support that upgrade and provide fixes and updates over time.  Ohhh and you need to pay all of the people involved which considering this is an aerospace venture peoples paychecks are expensive.  So I can totally see how the costs would balloon up especially if there are delays or issues that need fixed which seems to be the case as indicated by the article.

 

That's crazy. I would have done it for just $13 billion.

[Svsmokey]

Easy . Pentagon contract .

19 hours ago, C3PO said:

https://eurasiantimes.com/f-35-stealth-fighter-jet-upgrade-pentagon-calls-it-immature/?amp
 

How on earth does a software upgrade cost $14bn?

 

[SUBS17]

The F35 FLY BY WIRE CODING took for the F35 A and C 45 Million years of CODING, F35B 75 Million years of CODING. You can see the FLY BY WIRE SUB MODES such as the PIROUETTE and other extreme maneuver's. There is more on the F35B because of VTOL/STOL, you can see the FLY BY WIRE in action from the rear the entire exhaust moves FORWARD/BACK/LEFT and RIGHT. It is very noticeable from the rear whilst in a Hover. The next generation AUTO-PILOT includes AUTO-HOVER, AUTO-LAND and AUTO-CRUISE. The F35's performance has increased a lot since all of the new tech has been added. The FBW is the beginning, it is similar to the F/A-18 Hornet. The F35C with this next generation technology HIGHLY ACCURATE NAVIGATION SYSTEM and AUTO-LAND catches the number 3 wire every landing HANDS OFF! And there is a new LSO technology which includes a Helmet mounted display. The same is possible for the F35A landing at precisely the same point on the runway every time. For the F35B landing on a moving ship is exactly on the landing pad in any weather. This technology also has AUTOMATIC INFLIGHT REFUELLING for both DROGUE and PROBE DELIVERY. It is extremely exciting for all Military Units that operate them as they will operate much safer and more precisely with this technology.

For FLY BY WIRE it involves WIND TUNNEL TESTING and extensive FLIGHT TESTING not just CODING.(The CODER is also a TEST PILOT)  

Edited January 29, 2022 by SUBS17

[will-]

who are you and what did you do w/ subs17?  actually enjoyed reading that, thanks.

[SUBS17]

16 hours ago, will- said:

who are you and what did you do w/ subs17?  actually enjoyed reading that, thanks.

It would be good to see FLY BY WIRE in DCS for those Aircraft, the Hornet and Harrier both feature a bit of it already.

[72westy]

On 1/28/2022 at 1:33 PM, unlikely_spider said:

That's crazy. I would have done it for just $13 billion.

I'd do it for 1 Billion saving the taxpayers tens of billions. We're reaching a  point where it won't be cost effective for a government to even develop new stuff.

[Weta43]

On 1/29/2022 at 10:03 AM, C3PO said:

How on earth does a software upgrade cost $14bn?

 

They charge what the market will bear.

As  Dwight D. Eisenhower* suggested might happen, the military–industrial–congressional complex has become the backbone of the US economy, and the Govt (congress) will pay what is necessary to keep it in business.

* Dwight D. Eisenhower used the term in his Farewell Address to the Nation on January 17, 1961 : "A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction...

This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence—economic, political, even spiritual—is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military–industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together."

[Rick50]

 

I get that things cost more... but that's not just insane.  Ought to trigger a criminal investigation, IMO.