Here is the problem: U.S. military programs...
For instance, the U.S. media is now engaged in a lively discussion of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Although projected F-35 costs have doubled, deadlines are constantly being pushed back.
The problem began 20-30 years ago when the United States and other industrial countries began developing new weapons and equipment to replace Cold War-era hardware. It was clear even then that these next generation weapons would cost far more than their predecessors.
Although Russia withdrew from the arms race after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States continued unabated. Washington wanted to achieve global military supremacy, which combined with its political and economic influence would ensure U.S. domination for many decades to come.
However, Washington encountered problems almost immediately. Skyrocketing R&D costs did not guarantee that the new equipment would have improved combat capabilities, while cost-cutting measures proved ineffective.