Operational effects: opstempo, how the thing is operated on missions, how the things are maintained in the field, resources deployed to the operating site, etc.

System effects outside the direct support site that effect MC: inherent reliability, maintainability of the end item and components, quality manufacture of components, quality and quantity of supplies, supply chain/logistics, sources of supply and repair, a few more mundane things like under funding repair processes and then not acquiring the skills, data and tools.

The operations effects drive the planning and specs for the system effects. If things to deliver the operations effects were unfunded/reprogrammed because of overruns, then the MC rate problem is likely the dividends received for “savings” on an airplane that does not meet it “suitability” requirements.

F 22 MC rate is likely better than the materiel availability rate which tracks the entire fleet of F 22 and includes all the airplane hard broke at depot and off the units’ assigned airplanes.

I disagree with Timmerman, however, GAO has observed that contractor PBL’s are too expensive and not performing.

So who did you vote for?

I did not vote for Obama but I hope that Sec Gates’next step will be to replace Mr. England with someone who equally understands and can focus on acquisition. Mr. Young is off to a fair start in pulling weeds.

Shouldn’t the U.S. have at least one cutting edge fighter in production to keep the industry afloat?

LM & the DOD have PUBLICALLY & OFFICIALLY announced that the flyaway cost for the F-35A IS 58.7 million. If you check the yearly defense budgets you will see that the F/A-18E/F is & has been ~50% MORE than that.

The F-35C will certainly be $5–10 more than the F-35A but even at ~$70 for the F-35C, the F/A-18E/F is ~1/4 MORE expensive.

And as Scott pointed out, the F-35 will be superior to the F/A-18E/F in pretty much ANY way you can think of.

i think you and i have debated this 100 times.

you need to prove to me that the F-35 will be cheaper once it reaches full rate production. that would mean that a non stealthy 4.5 gen aircraft is more expensive than a stealthy, supposedly technologically superior 5th gen aircraft. in fact nobody knows how much over the course of production these aircraft will average out at. not even the dod.

the jsf is only superior with regards to stealth and sensors over the F-18E/F.

No, the USN has NOT determined that the F-35 is a sitting duck, in fact quite the opposite. It HAS determined that the F-35 is SIGNIFICANTLY more effective than the F/A-18E/F Block II & better than any hypothetical F/A-18E/F Block III could be. AND once it reaches full rate production will be LESS expensive than the F/A-18E/F.

The only reason why the USN is even considering procuring more F/A-18E/F is to fill the gap left by F/A-18C/Ds retiring EARLY due to being overworked & when the F-35C will be available in sufficient numbers.

I don’t know what kind of wet dream you are having that you can buy four F/A-18E/F the price of one F-22. The TRUTH is that for the price of three F/A-18E/F you can buy two F-22.

The USAF hasn’t deplyed F-22’s to the Middle East because Gates won’t let it do so. And he won’t because he KNOWS that it would prove itself & he simply can not have that.

The Navy has already determined the JFS is a sitting duck and has purchased additional F/A-18E/F Hornets as a bridge and possible a permanent replacement for JFS.

It has been rumored the top brass of the Navy does not want the JFS. They see the JSF as sitting duck that will cost billions more to purchase, evaluate, operate, upgrade, modernize, and support, etc. before deploying on its twelve super carriers.

The Navy is very pleased with the capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Hornets and really don’t want to bring in another aircraft that they really don’t want to support or deploy. The JFS and F-22 aircraft may sound good on paper but when it comes down to the nitty-gritty that’s where the buck stops and reality is apparent.

Don’t be surprised when President-elect Obama takes office in January that the F-22 and F-35 JSF program will be capped-off and/or canceled altogether. The new administration may want to pursue existing, reliable, and more affordable aircraft such as F/A-18E/F/G, F-15D/E, C-17A, CH-60L, AH-64D, C-47E, AH-1Z, and UCAV.

For example, for every one F-22A the navy can purchase four F/A-18E Hornets. Think about it! It’s is no surprise that the US Air Force has NOT deployed the F-22 Raptors to the Middleast in support of the troops. With a mission capable rate of 60 percent, high operational costs, and maintenance & logistical support problems it is NO surprise the US Air Force won’t deploy its 100+ F-22 Raptors overseas! If the Raptors were deployed and needed in an emergency they Air Force would have to depend on it’s 35 year-old, combat proven, and dependable F-15 Eagles!

When the Obama administration comes in the chopping block will be part of his daily signature response to support national health care, wealth distribution, socialization of the economy, and any other left-wing anti-American policies and spending programs that will be created.

Remember, there is NO one to blame but those greedy companies and top-brass in the US Air Force that will lead to the destruction of the US Military.

When the United States needs cutting edge technology to maintain our edge in the skies against our current enemies and future threats (for example, China and Russia). Our fly boys will have outdated technology thanks to the greedy companies that will need a billions for bailouts and top military brass retiring with big fat pensions and a top paying jobs waiting for them.

That’s a sad shame!