Mattis orders cost reviews of F-35 fighter, Air Force One

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary James Mattis has ordered reviews of two key Air Force aircraft programs that were criticized by President Trump last month as being too expensive.

Mattis asked for a review of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program to find ways to cut costs. He said the review should compare the F-35 with the F/A-18 Super Hornet and determine if an upgraded Hornet could be a cost effective alternative.

He also asked for a review of the presidential aircraft program to identify cost savings.

The orders mirror tweets by Trump in December, saying that due to cost overruns in Lockheed Martin's F-35, he asked Boeing to "price-out" a comparable Super Hornet. Trump also tweeted that the new Air Force One cost too much, and he demanded: "Cancel order!"

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