[2CAVTrooper]

What does the atomic bomb have to do with it?

At least it works, unlike the F22 (corrosion, weak airframe, larger RCS than advertised, etc)

As far as Lockheed abusing the cost plus, just look at some of these programs they’re working on.

The Navy wised up and outright killed the LCS that Lockheed Martin was working on.

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/04/last_week_when_.html

Then there is the “off the shelf” C-130J that has nearly doubled in cost because of it being an “off the shelf” system it wouldn’t need pesky oversight of Pentagon auditors and contract managers.

[BikerJoe]

What does the atomic bomb have to do with it?

The atomic bomb has EVERYTHING to do with it. Programs like the F22 cost a lot because people are being asked to do things that haven't been done before. It's damn difficult to predict cost under those conditions. While I'll give you the corrosion and weak airframe problems on the F22, you're ignoring the fact that the radar has turned out so well that we're continually developing new things that can be done with it.

If you are so concerned about cost abuse, then the answer is COMPETITION. OOPS, the friggin' DoD ENCOURAGED companies to merge in the '90s, getting us down to what we have now. There's that pesky governmental policy problem again...

Your C-130J example couldn't possibly double in cost overnight. If the government was so freakin' concerned, they could've put in the oversight as soon as higher numbers started coming in. Did they?

Trust me friend, it ain't all Lockheed's fault. There's PLENTY of blame to go around and a lot of it lies with the government.

P.S. As to the corrosion problems on the F22, for cryin' out loud, the Air Force used to have environmental chambers to freeze and bake and hose down aircraft of all kinds. Don't they do that anymore?