F-22 Aircraft: Development Cost Goal Achievable If Major Problems Are Avoided

摘要

Since the beginning of the F-22 development program in 1991, the Air Force's estimated cost to develop the aircraft has increased. Cost trends in 1995 showed a potential for costs to increase further. Concerned about these growing costs, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition established the Joint Estimating Team to estimate the most probable costs to complete F-22 development and production. The team consisted of personnel from the Air Force, DOD, and private industry. The team concluded in 1997 that additional time would be required to complete the development program and estimated that costs would increase from $17.4 billion to $18.688 billion. The team recommended several changes to the development program's schedule, including slower manufacturing for a more efficient transition from development to low-rate initial production and an additional 12 months to complete avionics development. The Air Force and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics generally adopted the team's recommendations to extend the development program schedule, including the dates for accomplishing interim events.