This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The F-35 fighter jet will come to Utah and provide many jobs at Hill Air Force Base ("It's official: Hill AFB receiving new F-35 fighter jets," Tribune, Dec. 3). This plane replaces the F-22 Raptor, at a cost of $1 trillion. The F-22 was loaded with problems that prevented pilots from safely flying them. They also never fired a shot at an enemy and they are now being "retired." They were more advanced than any other fighter in the world.
Wikipedia reported on March 11, 2010, the Government Accountability Office projected the overall unit cost of an F-35A to be $112 million in today's money. In 2010, Pentagon officials disclosed that the F-35 program had exceeded its original cost estimates by more than 50 percent.
In February 2011, the Pentagon put a price of $207.6 million on each of the 32 aircraft to be acquired in fiscal year 2012, rising to $304.15 million if its share of research and development spending is included.
What enemy do we need these planes to fight?
Our education system is in shambles, infrastructure is collapsing, health care eludes many and cities are going bankrupt.
Is this really the best use of a $1 trillion?
Barbara Bisping
Taylorsville