F/A-22 Raptor
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| MARIETTA — Despite a report of a 15 percent cut to Lockheed Martin’s F/A-22 Raptor program 01/08/03
MARIETTA — Despite a report of a 15 percent cut to Lockheed Martin’s F/A-22 Raptor program, the Air Force remains “committed” to the program, officials said Tuesday. A published report Tuesday said the number of Raptors produced at the Marietta plant would be reduced in the next fiscal budget to offset last year’s $690 million cost overrun. “The USAF is committed to completing the F/A-22 development and to funding this increase out of existing program funds,” Maj. Amy Rogerson, a spokeswoman for the Air Force, said Tuesday. “(We) will continue to pursue options for acquiring a minimum of 339 aircraft.” Bloomberg News reported the cut was proposed recently by the Defense Department. The report cites a Defense Department order which calls for only 276 Raptors, 63 fewer than the Air Force says it needs to meet its defense plan. Rogerson said the order — which she called “classified” — wasn’t yet final. Rogerson said the reputed cut is not final until President Bush signs it. “This (news) got out in front of the budget process,” Rogerson said. “That’s what is so squirrely about this. Nothing is final yet.” Local Lockheed spokesman Greg Caires declined to comment, saying the press report was “inconclusive.” If the cut is finalized, it would become the sixth such reduction since 1991. The original request was for 750 aircraft. Freshman Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta), who is trying to secure an assignment on the House Armed Services Committee, is opposed to the cut. “I would not look favorably to cuts in the program,” he said Tuesday after being sworn into office. “It’s a great plane, and I think Lockheed has done a fantastic job in research and development ... I’m certainly going to do everything in my power to continue that program, whether I’m a member of the Armed Services or not.” Incoming U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss – who served in the House for 8 years — also said Tuesday he would fight for the program. “I was the go to guy on the F-22 program for the eight years that I was in the House, even though not one bolt of the F-22 was made in my district,” Chambliss said Tuesday. “I am going to continue to be the lead guy fighting to ensure that those weapons programs are strong in Georgia and continue to be made in Georgia.” The Raptor, a multi-use stealth fighter, is built by Lockheed, in partnership with Boeing. The Marietta plant assembles the entire plane and builds the forward fuselage. It’s scheduled to replace the Air Force’s fleet of F-15C Eagles by 2005. The Lockheed plant’s F/A-22 Raptor program employs about 2,000 workers in Marietta. |