Wed, Dec 06, 2006
Would Increase USAF Fleet To 203 F-22s
Aero-News reported Tuesday
about the problems facing the military's newest fighter jet, the
upcoming F-35 Lightning II. Analysts report the same declining
order numbers and rising prices that have caused trouble for the
recent F-22 Raptor fighter, could spell disaster for the
Lightning.
Well, perhaps that picture isn't so bleak after all... as the
Air Force is pushing to order 20 more F-22 Raptors, extending
production for at least one year beyond the planned termination
date in 2011.
Ken Miller, special assistant to Air Force Secretary Michael
Wynne, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram the Air Force plans to
request additional fighters in the 2008 defense budget, which goes
to lawmakers in early February. The plan would have to pass
congressional muster, and get approval from senior Pentagon
officials.
In other words... the deal isn't done yet. "We've got a long way
to go," Miller said. "So that's our plan and we're going to press
forward."
If approved, the plan would boost the USAF's total purchase to
203 Raptors. That's still a far cry from the more than 700 planes
that Air Force officials originally wanted, but even a little more
is better than none at all.
"All of the Air Force studies point to the conclusion that the
planned number of 183 planes is not enough," said analyst Loren
Thompson. "So the service has begun to build a case for buying
more."
If lawmakers show a willingness to spend money on planes the Air
Force says it needs, that may also spell somewhat better fortunes
for the Lightning II. Unless, that is, the Air Force spends all its
money on Raptors.
Time will tell.
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