The trillion dollar plane

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has some problems; it seems that there is a crack in a turbine blade.  All flights have been suspended.  This is not the first problem with the plane.  It has had to be redesigned, the bulkhead has cracked, software is late.  As a result, it  is seven years behind schedule and 70 percent over its initial cost estimate. It was expected to have 1591 planes by 2017, that estimate has been cut to 365.

It was expected to be an affordable, state-of-the-art stealth jet serving three military branches and U.S. allies.  At almost $400 billion, it’s the most expensive weapons system in U.S. history; it is expected to eventually cost about $1.5 trillion.  The cost of each plane has gone from $69,000,000 in 2001 to $137,000,000 last year.

 Shouldn't we can this project?  Not if it employs 133,000 in 45 states.