Posted on 04/04/2005 3:24:43 PM PDT by Magnum44
Lockheed F/A-22 wins approval for full-rate output Fri Apr 1, 2005 01:42 PM ET
WASHINGTON, April 1 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp.'s F/A-22 stealthy fighter jet won approval for full-rate production from a key Pentagon panel this week, although it still faces major budget cuts under the Bush administration's fiscal 2006 budget plan.
The Pentagon's Defense Acquisition Board met on Tuesday and approved the results of a series of initial operational tests of the F/A-22, or "Raptor," clearing Lockheed to accelerate production of the aircraft, sources familiar with the decision said on Friday.
Pentagon spokeswoman Cheryl Irwin confirmed only that the meeting took place, but said a memorandum finalizing any decisions had not yet been approved or signed.
One source familiar with the matter said the move to full-rate production was a sort of "seal of approval" for the aircraft, which can fly at supersonic speeds for prolonged distances.
But the Raptor, developed during the Cold War to replace the F-15E as the country's top air superiority fighter, is due to be scaled back sharply under the administration's future budget plans.
Those plans call for the $71 billion program to be cut by $10.5 billion by through 2011, with the Air Force slated to get just 179 airplanes instead of the 276 currently planned -- and far less than the 381 planes it says it needs.
Air Force officials say they will lobby hard for some of those funds to be reinstated during a once-every-four-years review of major defense programs to start this year.
Lockheed shares were trading 15 cents higher at $61.21 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
Bank of America said in a note to investors that it expected a "lively debate" over the future of the program once the Quadrennial Defense Review got under way, but said it considered it "unlikely the Air Force will get its way with the Raptor."
Lockheed spokesman Tom Jurkowsky said the Bethesda, Maryland-based company had not yet received the results of the meeting, but said the aircraft performed "magnificently during its recently completed operational test and evaluation."
Proponents view the F/A-22 as vital for maintaining U.S. air superiority in future conflicts, but its costs have escalated and some Pentagon officials have questioned how much the aircraft is needed as U.S. forces confront low-tech enemies in Iraq and elsewhere.
Are you serious? The F/A-22 prototypes are actual flying. The F/B-22 is just an artists rendering, because at this point it is just a concept.
That's pretty much the whole point. The USAF is talking about buying just 50 or so of the F/B-22. It would be very hard to justify 50 planes that are designed from the ground up. A 50 plane derivative is enouogh to be worthwhile while being profitable for the manufacturer.
The F-22 was superior in low speed maneuver, and projected cost.
The F-23 was superior in range, RCS, Speed, payload, and high altitude maneuver.
At high speed, you are G limited, and rather small wings are adequate for more turn rate than you can stand.
I doubt that they will do the FB-22, too much money ... look at the F-16xl, great plane, but not worth the effort.
The plane that I think stands a chance of not going anywhere is the F-35. Probably get a few, and then as air superiority is achieved, switch to A-10s. The F-35 can't carry alot as is.
The F-35 is planned to be a low observable the first couple days of the war while SAMs and bandits are a factor. Once air superiority is achieved you add external pylons and turn it into a bomb truck. STOVL versions will still be limited in payload, but CTOL variants shouldn't be.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.