News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Pentagon Declines to Answer If It Shot Down $12 Balloon w... by NovemberWhiskey on Sunday February 19, 2023 @07:28PM (#34863460)
The F-22 costs more than $50,000 per flying hour to operate. The USAF flew the F-22 for approximately 28,000 hours in FY2021; but that $1.4bn expense is less than 1% of their annual budget.

We're talking about a $400K missile so much, why?

Re:Pentagon Declines to Answer If It Shot Down $12 Balloon w... by pydry on Sunday February 19, 2023 @07:34PM (#34863497)
Coz it's either that, Seymour Hersh or exploding trains and the last two are kind of awkward.
Re:Pentagon Declines to Answer If It Shot Down $12 Balloon w... by NoZebra120vClip on Sunday February 19, 2023 @07:50PM (#34863614)
Well, rather than poring over armed forces budgets, most of us are checking our W-2s around this time of year, and I tell you what: I can hardly afford the Secret Service bullets.
Re:Pentagon Declines to Answer If It Shot Down $12 Balloon w... by ashwagary on Monday February 20, 2023 @09:42AM (#34868507)
Would you rather pay 5-10% less in taxes by cutting military spending?
Re:Pentagon Declines to Answer If It Shot Down $12 Balloon w... by sabujp on Sunday February 19, 2023 @07:54PM (#34863645)
two missiles apparently
Re:Pentagon Declines to Answer If It Shot Down $12 Balloon w... by _-david-_ on Sunday February 19, 2023 @08:09PM (#34863762)
They need to fly to ensure that new pilots learn and older pilots remain polished. They don't need to blow up a pico balloon if that is what it was.
Re:Pentagon Declines to Answer If It Shot Down $12 Balloon w... by NovemberWhiskey on Monday February 20, 2023 @10:58AM (#34869317)
OK - but flying an actual intercept mission and firing a warshot at an atypical target is a pretty good way to improve or maintain readiness.
Re:Pentagon Declines to Answer If It Shot Down $12 Balloon w... by lost_tourist on Sunday February 19, 2023 @11:23PM (#34864874)
Because the republicans want a red herring for the next election to use against Biden.