In 1984, Norman Ralph Augustine, an aerospace industry businessman who had previously served as the Undersecretary of the Army, published a series of algorithms that showed how the cost of developing new fighter jets for the United States Air Force had continued to grow astronomically over time. These equations, which were eventually dubbed Augustine’s laws, were the output of a series of famous studies, highlighting the exponential growth of operating and development costs for US fighters. This trend has continued long after the original study was published.
Related Posts
Why Venezuela’s Attempt To Privatize VIASA Failed
- Guest authors
- January 27, 2025
- 0
They Ordered 737 MAXs Nearly A Decade Ago….1st Delivery Coming Soon…
- Guest authors
- September 21, 2025
- 0
We know that when an airline places an order with a planemaker, deliveries are almost never instantaneous. Rather, a first delivery is more likely to take place in a few years. There are, of course exceptions to this rule such as picking up a few whitetail aircraft or acquiring from a lessor. Perhaps an equally uncommon exception to the norm is waiting for first delivery for nearly a decade – particularly with a jet that’s certified and in-service: The 737. But, well, that’s the case for Vietnamese airline VietJet. The carrier signed an initial agreement in 2016 and is only now about to get its first 737 MAX jets.