Young Appears Before Armed Services Subcommittee On F-22 | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.02.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.03.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.04.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.05.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.06.25

Wed, Nov 19, 2008

Young Appears Before Armed Services Subcommittee On F-22

"Bridge" Funding Keeps Raptor On Life Support Through Early '09

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill want answers from Pentagon procurement officer John J. Young, regarding the Defense Department's authorization of "bridge" funding to keep the F-22 Raptor program on life support through early next year.

According to The Associated Press, Young was scheduled to appear before the House Armed Services' air and land forces subcommittee Wednesday, to answer questions about the $50 million funding authorization... which is far less than the $523 million authorized to keep production lines running.

David Halfert, spokesman for subcommittee chairman Neil Abercrombie, said the Hawaii Democrat wants to know why Young and the US Air Force "chose to ignore the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act," which authorized the $523 million.

Alas, it's a question most everyone involved already knows the answer to.

As ANN has reported, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other civilian officials in the Pentagon are staunchly opposed to the purchase of any more F-22s, beyond the 183 planes already authorized. They argue the money would be better spent on the comparatively cheaper F-35 Lightning II... which is still in the early stages of an arduous flight test program.

The Raptor, on the other hand, is available now... and is without question the more capable fighter. That's why most US Air Force officials want as many as 381 F-22s. However, Pentagon officials note the F-22's primary advantages -- stealth and speed -- are less important given the nature of modern warfare.

A compromise measure authorizing an additional $140 million would have supported production of as many as 20 more Raptors; the bridge funding clears the way for only four additional planes, but keeps the production line going through the first several months of President-elect Barack Obama's new administration.

That gives the new president time to decide on whether to spend more money to continue production of the Raptor... and, gives both sides additional time to make their cases.

FMI: www.af.mil

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (06.03.25): No Gyro Approach

No Gyro Approach A radar approach/vector provided in case of a malfunctioning gyro-compass or directional gyro. Instead of providing the pilot with headings to be flown, the contro>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.03.25)

Aero Linx: European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) The general aim of the EHPU is to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe. In order to achieve this>[...]

ANN FAQ: Turn On Post Notifications

Make Sure You NEVER Miss A New Story From Aero-News Network Do you ever feel like you never see posts from a certain person or page on Facebook or Instagram? Here’s how you c>[...]

Airborne 05.30.25: Anti-Helicopter Bill, PW Strike Done, All-Electric Bristell

Also: Duffy Wants $$$, KS Airports, Morningside U’s Aviation School, New Airstrip In ID After 6 were killed in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River, several US Representa>[...]

Airborne 05.29.25: ATC Bonu$, VX4 eVTOL Flies, Starship 9 Test

Also: Hermeus Quarterhorse MK1, Seaplane Rating Guide, Vietjet A330neos, SFO Wacky Weed Bust As the air traffic controller shortage trudges on, the US Department of Transportation >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC