How The US Military Spends $800B Per Year On War Machines | True Cost | Business Insider

TL;DR

The US spends billions on its military budget, resulting in the most expensive war machines in the world. However, the latest aircraft carrier and F-35 fighter program are plagued with delays and problems, while autonomous drones in Ukraine raise ethical concerns.

Transcript

in 2021 the U.S military budget crossed the 800 billion dollar mark that's more than the next nine largest militaries combined so it's no surprise that America with all that money to spend has the most expensive war machines on the planet take its latest aircraft carrier which comes in at a cool 13.3 billion dollars it's taken so long to build that... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 The US military budget allows for the development of expensive war machines, but projects like the USS Ford and F-35 fighter program face delays and complications.
• ✋ The USS Ford aircraft carrier, despite its high cost, has encountered unexpected issues and is not fully operational after five years.
• 😀 The F-35 fighter program faces criticism due to grounding issues, high operating costs, and doubts about its affordability.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the current status of the USS Ford aircraft carrier?

The USS Ford aircraft carrier, despite its 13.3 billion dollar cost, is still not fully battle-ready after five years. It has encountered unexpected complications and delays, making its deployment uncertain.

Q: Why has the F-35 fighter program faced criticism?

The F-35 fighter program, with a price tag of 1.7 trillion dollars, has been grounded due to ejection seat issues and has high operating costs compared to older fighter jets. Some question whether the advancements are worth the cost.

Q: How are drones being used in Ukraine?

Drones, including the switchblade loitering munitions, are being used in Ukraine's conflict. They provide cheap and persistent air power, but concerns arise over the increasing use of autonomous weapons and potential ethical implications.

Q: What is the UN's stance on autonomous weapons?

The UN Secretary General and international human rights organizations have called for a total ban on lethal autonomous weapons, highlighting concerns about civilian casualties and the potential escalation of conflicts.

Key Insights:

• The US military budget allows for the development of expensive war machines, but projects like the USS Ford and F-35 fighter program face delays and complications.
• The USS Ford aircraft carrier, despite its high cost, has encountered unexpected issues and is not fully operational after five years.
• The F-35 fighter program faces criticism due to grounding issues, high operating costs, and doubts about its affordability.
• Drones, such as the switchblade loitering munitions, are being increasingly used in conflicts like Ukraine's, raising concerns about the ethics and risks of autonomous weapons.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The US military budget surpasses 800 billion dollars, allowing for the development of expensive war machines like the USS Ford and F-35 fighter jets. However, these projects face delays and complications.

• The USS Ford aircraft carrier, costing 13.3 billion dollars, is still not fully battle-ready five years after its commissioning and has been plagued with unexpected costs and issues.

• The 1.7 trillion dollar F-35 fighter program has faced grounding issues and high operating costs, raising doubts about its affordability and effectiveness.

• Drones, such as the switchblade loitering munitions, are being used in Ukraine, showcasing the increasing role of autonomous weapons in modern warfare.