No extra F-22s, C-17s for USAF in 2009

[unhappycamper]

No extra F-22s, C-17s for USAF in 2009
By Gayle S. Putrich - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Oct 26, 2007 18:27:35 EDT

The fiscal 2009 budget will not include any funds for the U.S. Air Force to buy F-22 Raptors or C-17 cargo lifters, according to a source with knowledge of internal Pentagon budget discussions.

Top service officials have long said the Air Force needs more than the 183 fifth-generation fighters that made up the “program of record” for the Lockheed Martin-built F-22. Generals have long pushed for a 381 target, using Pentagon-commissioned studies that say the service needs at least 260 as backup. But the Office of the Secretary of Defense appears to be standing firm at 183.

The current multiyear procurement agreement will remain in place, but if the contractor does not get funds in the 2009 budget to purchase long-lead items, the line will close.

Lockheed Martin officials said the company could not comment on specific budgetary items and referred all inquiries back to the government.

Air Force representatives said they could not comment on the next budget, as it is still not a done deal and “discussions are ongoing on all programs until the budget is complete,” one spokeswoman said via e-mail.

On Capitol Hill Oct. 24, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne said repeatedly that 183 was not enough and that he has asked for more planes to keep a fifth-generation fighter production line open at least until the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, also a Lockheed plane, is in full production.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/10/defense_raptors_071026/

[Tesla]

1. Where has all the money gone?

I mean you want to start another war and you don't order more planes?
I wonder who is getting the new contract ?
China?

[unhappycamper]

2. Well,

The C-17 costs $202,000,000 in 1998 dollars.

The F-22 costs $329,000,000.

The F-35 costs $100,000,000.

Eventually, it adds up to real bucks.

[NYVet]

3. Split over this one

Forget the fighters, finance the cargo transports.