A Class and F16 have essentially the same rule set:-
unlimited use of carbon
no restriction on core
carbon masts
carbon beams
carbon foils and rudder boxes
these are the main drivers of cost
Huh funny, last time I checked a F16 with carbon foils (standard on all F16's), carbon boxes (standard on 50% of F16's), carbon reinforcements in the hull and even a carbon mast was still below 20K and stiffer then the F18's (even when corrected for weight differences between both classes).
So, I guess the other class rules (that the A-class does not share with us) are doing a fine job of controlling the costs.
Wouter
