Air Force yields in F-22 fighter dispute

Rueters ^ | 4/13/09 | Rueters

[Nachum]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force on Monday endorsed the Pentagon in its plan to end production of Lockheed Martin Corp's top-of-the-line F-22 fighter jets after having pushed to buy more for years.

"This is the time to make the transition from F-22 to F-35 production," Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and General Norton Schwartz, the service's top uniformed officer, wrote in an opinion piece in the Washington Post.

[Nachum]

Call him "Gates the liquidator"...

[Nachum]

The List, ping

[Blood of Tyrants]

We spend 25 BILLION to develop it and then we make less than 200 copies?

[bill1952]

Thank God I no longer fly in service...

[Tenacious 1]

How’s about scrapping the less capable aircraft that has foreign clients. Let’s mass produce the F-35 and sell it to the world. Then use the funds to buy the much more capable F-22.

This seems to happen about every 30 to 40 years. In WWII America had some catching up to do in fighter aircraft and we got some help in that department from allies. In Vietnam we realized we had again fallen behind. We’ve done well since then. I fear what history will say about our current complacency.

[henkster]

To supposedly produce the F-35? Other than some prototypes, not one single F-35 will be produced by this regime.

[afnamvet]

>>>Call him “Gates the liquidator”...

I prefer surrender monkey.

[LibLieSlayer]

This will just drive up costs when a Republican President reinstates these orders.

LLS

[ChinaThreat]

Yep. They are just passing the buck. Cuts in the future, new spending now. Its a politician’s stock and trade.

This is a foolhearted decision. Air Superiority is required for almost any other type of mission. The missions the F-35 was designed for. We need to have at least 500 F-22s in service.

[CholeraJoe]

Not true. I have a friend who is a project manager for F-35 subassemblies. Her company has more orders than it can fill for all 3 versions of the F-35. They are running two shifts on Saturdays and Sundays, too. Remember the STOVL version is the replacement for the USMC Harrier and the B model has heavy landing gear and tailhooks for carrier operations.

It will be impossible for the administration to argue that close air support is an outdated mission.

[Tenacious 1]

I am waiting to hear when they stop the USS Bush construction and sell the metal for scrap.

Thank goodness the USS Reagan has left port. Otherwise the namesake itself would have been justification for these bozos to scuttle it.

[reefdiver]

If Gates is wrong,
Hanging on a job for a paycheck? His ass won't be worth 2 cents.

Today I'll give Him the benefit of the doubt. No place for Him if Hes wrong, an No place for Him to hide

[LibLieSlayer]

True... sad but true.

LLS

[hornetguy]

I read that CVN-77 had completed builders trials last week and was close to delivery.

[A.A. Cunningham]

I am waiting to hear when they stop the USS Bush construction and sell the metal for scrap.

Little late for that.

090407-N-5735P-112 ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 7, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is underway from Naval Station Norfolk conducting acceptance trials and the Board of Inspections and Survey to test the ship's material conditions and readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st class Demetrius L. Patton/Released)

[A.A. Cunningham]

The decision still remains that of Congress, not the Air Force and not Obowma.

[truthguy]

OK I can't speak to the technical issues between the F22 and the F35. But I know that the F22 is in production and the F35 isn't.

When will the F35 available to replace the F15? Is it anywhere as good as the F22. From what I've read it is designed for a different purpose but it is also an excellent aircraft.

When will the F35 be in production? I know the F15, despite being one of the greatest airplanes in history is past its technological life.

Why give up the advantage of the greatest fighter in the world? The R&D costs are already realized. The plane is in production and from all reports is awesome. Nothing can touch it.

Unless there is something I don't know about, then this seems to be a terrible decision that will weaken our defense capabilities.

We need some inputs form people who understand this better than me. We need some fighter jocks.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

One More Big As Mistake, America

Ombama — his Kenyan cousin.

[SoCalPol]

The Reagan is based here in San Diego

The GHW Bush just finished its sea trials

[fooman]

stoopid.