✈️ The F-35 has grown into the largest stealth squadron in the world, but the cost is still a big problem, the F-35 Lightning II.

✈️ F-35 has grown into the world's largest stealth squadron, but the cost is still a big problem.

The F-35 Lightning II does not stop with 1,000 aircraft. By the end of 2025, the global fleet has grown to nearly 1,300 aircraft, behind Lockheed Martin's 191 deliveries in a year, a record for the program.

There are three variants of this aircraft: the F-35A for general airfields, the F-35B for short-takeoff and vertical landing, and the F-35C for aircraft carriers, supporting strike missions, airspace control, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. 🛰️

Key strengths are stealth technology, integration of data from sensors, and connections to other combat units, but the steep stuff also comes with a non-light bill.

💰, the figure of $40,000-45,000 per flight hour published in many sources is an estimate that changes with model, base year and calculation method, so it should not be used as a fixed cost for all F-35s.

According to the GAO, estimates of the cost of using and supporting U.S. squadrons over the life of the project have increased to about $1.58 trillion, while the operational availability of each model has been below target over several periods.

The Pentagon and manufacturers therefore accelerated the adjustment of maintenance systems, spare parts, pre-analysis software, and supply chains, because in the long run, "flying care costs" may not be as important as the purchase price of an aircraft.

Do you think the F-35's technology is worth the long-term cost?

Sources: Lockheed Martin | GAO 2026 | GAO 2024

# deepkub # F35 # Warplanes # Military technology # Air Force