Follwing the link that idesof posted in the topic APG-68(v)10 radar canceled? in the general forum, I checked the Procurement chapter of the FY 2007 Air Force President's Budget Procurement.

Here: https://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/FMB/pb/2007 ... Y07_PB.pdf (at page 65 /354) there is the cost breakdown of the F 22 for fiscal year 2006:

-airframe: 75.848 millions $;
-engines: 19.069 millions $
-avionics: 25.171 milions $
-------------------------------------
The total: 120.088 millions $/Raptor

BTW, from the page 81/354 it results the cost of an F 15 E (attrition replacement) -- 108 millions $! The total cost of the two aproved F 15 E is a staggering 240 millions $.

Considering its capabilities, I'd say the Raptor comes cheap...

The total: 120.088 millions $/Raptor

BTW, from the page 81/354 it results the cost of an F 15 E (attrition replacement) -- 108 millions $! The total cost of the two aproved F 15 E is a staggering 240 millions $.

Considering its capabilities, I'd say the Raptor comes cheap...

WOW!! It's actually been reduced to $120 mil? Last time I checked it was $138 million and change. Somebody must be doin' somethin' right. Hope the trend continues! The more I look at the Raptor, the more I'm likin' it. Not that that anybody gives a rat's keister....but still.

wait a second, how come it lists the "flyaway unit cost" for lot 7 as $141.507 million on page 54? and are there going to be only 20 aircraft produced in 2007?

wait a second, how come it lists the "flyaway unit cost" for lot 7 as $141.507 million on page 54? and are there going to be only 20 aircraft produced in 2007?

The Airforce made a "deal" with congress to build "only" 20 Raptors per year in 2006, 2007 and 2008. This deal was made in 2005 and the condition is that there will be no more discussion as to Raptor production status or numbers in the next 3 years. They could have built all of that in 1.5 years from 2006 to mid-2007 for notably LESS money. However, Rumsfeld (then SecDef) wanted to end Raptor production at 183 aircraft. The USAF has the "ulterior motive" of not ever ending Raptor production line. Hence, they made a deal to spend less per year, get less aircraft in the near term, BUT prolong Raptor production past the Bush presidency and hence Rumsfeld's tenure. The idea is to revisit the whole Raptor procurement issue under a new administration and a new DoD. And in this respect, they got what they want.

It's impossible to predict whehter the next presidential administration will choose to fund more F-22 airframes. The SECDEF has a lot on his plate regardless of the administration's priorites, congresses', and so on. I doubt Rumsfeld had it out for the F-22 program. SECDEF sounds like a very difficult job, and one where you're inevitably going to make enemies simply because difficult choices must be made. And it's very easy to second guess decisions like this. It's almost pointless to judge military procurement from afar. Too many variables that only those high up the chain of civilian and military command even understand.

You seem to be much more knowledgeable than I on these matters, so I'll take your word for it. I was just attempting to point out that Rumsfeld, to my knowledge, didn't have it out for the F-22 program. I can't imagine the USAF thinking that a change in SECDEF or even a new presidential administration would get them any closer to more F-22s. It's more likely that the USAF was just trying to put themselves in a situation down the line where circumstances might allow them to procure more F-22s. I doubt the USAF brass were thinking, "We'll have a better chance of getting our 380 F-22's once Bush and Rummy are out of the picture."