Raptor Program Costs Compared to Those of the Super Hornet

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Raptor Program Costs Compared to Those of the Super Hornet

Posted: 10/12/2005 3:30:19 AM EDT

No shit!!!!! I could have told the RAND Corp this and saved them a bunch of cash

Raptor Program Costs Compared to Those of the Super Hornet
By MICHAEL FABEY

It costs more to develop a revolutionary, supersonic fighter jet than to build an aircraft based on an existing design, says a report released Oct. 10 by Rand Corp., “Lessons Learned from the F/A-22 and F/A-18E/F Development Programs.”

The report compared the program management of the Lockheed Martin F/A-22 Raptor and the Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. Among its findings:

• The Raptor program divided and distributed the work equally among three contractor teams, whereas the Super Hornet team was focused mostly on one.

• The Raptor program allowed concurrent technology development, whereas the Super Hornet managers sought incremental improvements to reduce risk.

• Super Hornet managers set up a larger management cash reserve for development problems than the Raptor leaders.

Spokesmen for Lockheed Martin said they had not seen the report by the California-based think tank. But one Lockheed official said it was unfair to compare a program developing a new revolutionary aircraft to one for a fighter that had already been basically designed.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1164774&C=america

Posted: 10/12/2005 3:35:13 AM EDT

[#1]

I feel dumber having read that thread...maybe I should work for that company...I could give AT LEAST that thorough of an analysis and I'll do it for half of whatever they paid the other guy....

Posted: 10/12/2005 3:52:40 AM EDT

[#2]

Gotta love the .mil paying out for a study that everyone knew would come to the obvious conclusion.

Kharn

Posted: 10/12/2005 3:52:45 AM EDT

[#3]

I was told the Super Hornet is a very different aircraft from the Hornet, and not just a Hornet with mods.

The F/A-22 is indeed a revolutionary new aircraft but I'm guessing there will be more Super Hornets than Raptors flying around before we get more drones.

Posted: 10/12/2005 3:56:48 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I was told the Super Hornet is a very different aircraft from the Hornet, and not just a Hornet with mods.

Correct, the two are only look-alikes, it was completely redesigned from the ground up with the only restriction of a similar look. Even the engine inlets have different designs (round on the regular vs rectangular on the super, easiest way to tell them apart without a size reference).

Kharn

Posted: 10/12/2005 4:26:27 AM EDT

[#5]

We need Super Hornets and upgraded F-15s just as much as we need the Raptor...and the F-35.

Now, if we could just find a way to put the F-4 Phantom back into service...without being target drones.

Posted: 10/12/2005 4:29:29 AM EDT

[#6]

If we can get a lot of F-18 Super Hornets in the air faster and cheaper than the F-22/F-35, I say just go with the F-18 Super Hornet. Whatever works the best that is the cheapest to buy and easiest to maintain... The stealth stuff works great for strategic/surgical strikes/special operations but having that as the primary fighter jet is pricey and inefficient.

Posted: 10/12/2005 4:43:25 AM EDT

[#7]

That must be RAND's "training wheels" analysis. Here boy-genius, start with an easy one. Maybe they will do a 9mm vs .45 analysis next.

Posted: 10/12/2005 4:51:53 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
I was told the Super Hornet is a very different aircraft from the Hornet, and not just a Hornet with mods.

.

The opearative term is 'based on an existing design'…………

ANdy

Posted: 10/12/2005 4:52:31 AM EDT

[#9]

So I guess supercruise will be an incremental improvement? Maybe they can add it in block 20.

Posted: 10/12/2005 5:01:20 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
That must be RAND's "training wheels" analysis. Here boy-genius, start with an easy one. Maybe they will do a 9mm vs .45 analysis next.

Or 30-06 vs 308

Posted: 10/12/2005 5:01:51 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I was told the Super Hornet is a very different aircraft from the Hornet, and not just a Hornet with mods.

.

The opearative term is 'based on an existing design'…………

ANdy

If it works, it works. Why re-design the wheel?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Raptor Program Costs Compared to Those of the Super Hornet

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