Trump Close To Another Victory

Lockheed CEO: We are 'close to a deal' to bring F-35 cost down 'significantly'

By JACQUELINE KLIMAS (@JACQKLIMAS) • 1/13/17 11:19 AM

SHARE

TWEET

Mail

Print

More

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Trump Tweet Sends Lockheed CEO On A Twirl

Inform

Autoplay: On | Off

Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson said Friday that the company is "close to a deal" that will bring the cost of the F-35 down "significantly" following a meeting with President-elect Trump in New York.

Hewson told reporters after the 45-minute meeting that she shares the incoming president's view that troops need to get the best technology as possible for the lowest price. She said she also gave him some ideas for other ways to bring down the price of the joint strike fighter.

"I'm glad I had the opportunity to tell him that we are close to a deal that will bring the cost down significantly," Hewson said. "It's going to bring a lot of jobs to the United States. In fact, we're going to increase our jobs in Fort Worth by 1,800 jobs."

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said this week that the promise to drive down costs is "the easiest promise anyone has ever made," since the price per plane is already going down and will continue to go down more as the program moves into production because of lessons learned during building and a more efficient production line.

Subscribe today to get intelligence and analysis on defense and national security issues in your Inbox each weekday morning from veteran journalists Jamie McIntyre and Jacqueline Klimas.

The Pentagon announced a unilateral $6.1 billion contract for the ninth batch of planes late last year after the government was unable to agree with Lockheed Martin on a deal for both lot nine and 10. The ninth lot of 57 low-rate initial production aircraft will be procured for 3.7 percent less than the previous lot, Defense News reported.

Joe DellaVedova, a spokesman for the F-35 Joint Program Office, said negotiations are ongoing for the tenth lot.

"The F-35 Joint Program Office remains focused on getting the best deal for the warfighters and taxpayers," he said.

Friday marked the second meeting between Hewson and Trump. Following the first meeting in December, Hewson gave Trump her "personal commitment" to "aggressively" drive down costs.

Despite that promise, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., released a letter from the Pentagon this week announcing an additional seven-month delay that will cost taxpayers at least $500 million more.

Also from the Washington Examiner

How do you square attacking WikiLeaks with commuting Army Pfc. Manning's sentence?

By Becket Adams

 •

01/17/17 9:19 PM

The F-35 joint strike fighter has been a key focus on Trump since the election. He has repeatedly tweeted about its "out-of-control" costs, causing Lockheed Martin stock prices to slide. Most recently, he promised "big things" for the aircraft at his press conference on Wednesday.

While it is behind schedule and over budget, service leaders have defended the program, arguing that it is now on the right track as production prepares to ramp up. They've also said that the capabilities on the jet, including its stealthy features, are needed by the military to replace aging aircraft.

Trump also announced on Twitter that he has asked Boeing to price out an F/A-18 Super Hornet that is "comparable" to the F-35, but Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said comparing the two jets "is a little bit apples and oranges."

Retired Gen. James Mattis, who Trump has chosen to lead the Pentagon, told lawmakers at his confirmation hearing Thursday that Trump understands how "critical" the program is to both the U.S. military and its international partners who are also buying the aircraft despite his criticism of the cost. Instead, the former four-star said Trump's tweets simply show his commitment to use taxpayer dollars most effectively.

"He has in no way shown a lack of support for the program, he just wants the most bang for his buck," Mattis said.

Rules Are Set Up For Other People, Not Political Hacks

Obama Just Named Navy Warship Something That Infuriated Many – A Big Slap In The Face To Military

"I would like an explanation..."

Warner Todd Huston April 15, 2016 at 9:29am

 Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print

In a move that ignores both tradition and the rules in order to push a far left agenda, the Obama administration is breaking protocol by naming a U.S. warship after a left-wing politician and liberal activist.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced they will name the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer after liberal politician Carl Levin, a Michigan senator who recently retired from politics after a 31-year career.

Nearly 200 Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients were overlooked in favor of Sen. Levin who never served in the military, thus ignoring naval guidelines and tradition.

Republicans upset over the decision noted Senator Levin served on the very committee that gutted the Navy. In fact, Levin worked to initiate a reduction of the U.S. military. The drawdown was so successful that American military leaders say the United States can no longer fight a war on two fronts, a goal that has been a key part of U.S. security strategy since WWII.

A spokesman for Navy Secretary Marbus said the ship was named after an “American hero” in Senator Levin.

However, honoring Senator Levin doesn’t conform to Navy Secretary Mabus’ own guidelines he issued in 2012 titled, “Policies and Practices of the U.S. Navy for Naming the Vessels of the Navy.”

onsored by Revcontent

According to The Washington Times, the ship newly named after the liberal politician is the only such ship — aside from the Winston Churchill — that doesn’t conform to the guidelines. “Most Arleigh Burke honorees are naval war heroes,” wrote the Times. “A significant number earned the Medal of Honor. There are several Navy secretaries.”

Representative Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., is one member of Congress unhappy over the breach of guidelines. Hunter, a Marine Corps veteran, sent a letter to the Navy Secretary asking why he didn’t follow his own rules in naming the ship.

“I would like an explanation as to how this decision properly reflects Navy ship-naming rules,” Hunter wrote. He added, “It is important that the Navy adhere to its own ship-naming rules and take every effort necessary to avoid politicization of this process.”

Hunter was also a critic of Secretary Marbus’ move to name a U.S. warship after union activist César Chavez — another liberal activist who never served in the military.