My primary interest in these forums is on life cycle costs of various weapons platforms for a given set of specifications and various scenarios of possible use.
If a country wanted to buy a Gripen and operate it for 20 years, what would the cost be?
-country plans on a major upgrade of the Grippen 12 to 15 years into its product life.
-country plans to fly the Grippen 1000 hours a year for 20 years, or fly it 20,000 hours in total over 20 years.
-includes cost of procurement CAPEX, upgrade CAPEX, new engines, spares, maintenance hours
-does not include cost of discharge missiles
My estimate is $400 million over 20 years, or $20 million per year. The cost comes from:
--$90 million initial CAPEX (this is a high end Gripen with high end sensors, electronics and radars)
--$50 million upgrade cost 12 to 15 years into life of the bird
--$200 million cost of fuel, maintenance hours, spares excluding engines ($10,000/hr times 20,000 hours)
--$60 million cost of engine replacements over 20 years
Is this a reasonable estimate. What are everyone else's thoughts?
Does anyone have thoughts on what comparable numbers might be for the:
-Indian Tejas,
-South Korean T-50, AT-50 and FA 50,
-Chinese JF-17 Thunder
-Chinese L-15 supersonic trainer
Would love to learn from the rest of you about how better to calculate life cycle costs for various aircraft.