King Obama has once again gotten his way after token opposition from another branch of government. Today the Senate gave in and voted to strip $1.75 billion in funding for 6 additional F-22s from a $680 billion defense bill. Obama had threatened to veto the entire bill if the F-22s were left in. An amendment to remove them was put forth by John McCain (R) and Carl Levin (D).
Secretary Gates has said that we have enough of the jets to meet operational needs. But the Air Force is planning to ground 250 F-15s, F-16s, and A-10s. The 187 planes that have been authorized will not replace these. Obama has called the planes outdated and wasteful. This from a man who spends money faster than it can be printed.
The F-22 IS extremely expensive but is almost untouchable in the air. The Chinese and Russians are scrambling to develop a plane that can compete with it. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that Obama wants to go with will work well for ground support missions but will not be able to deliver air superiority. Its not designed for that. The F-22 can deliver that.
Opponents say that Iraq and Afghanistan prove that the F-22 is not needed. The fact is neither of those nations had a serious air force to deal with. Other nations are a more serious threat and we need a plane that can clear the skies.
Obama seems intent on destroying this nation’s ability to win the day and if necessary, absolutely ruin someone elses.
Steve Maley
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
Didn't George W. Bush want to stop production of F-22's, too?
portabello77 Wednesday, July 22nd at 12:20AM EST (link)Does it means that he was intent on destroying our ability to win the day?
I Call "Moby" on This One
IJB Wednesday, July 22nd at 2:10AM EST (link)Check the history…
Yes 187 was the number
Lloyd Davis (Diary) Wednesday, July 22nd at 3:03AM EST (link)that was originally planned. My point is the F-22 is not outdated.
Also the fact that Obama makes a point to complain about the cost of a top-of-the-line defense system when he is trying to bankrupt this country with every socialist program that has ever been dreamed of.
G'bye (nt)
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, July 22nd at 2:14AM EST (link)Your mom was intent on destroying our ability to win the day.
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As an aircraft guy,
LibRick (Diary) Wednesday, July 22nd at 9:33AM EST (link)I agree with you that the F-22 is is untouchable in the air. I actually think it’s the greatest air superiority fighter ever built.
But, I don’t have a problem with capping the build at 187. It’s different than killing an entire program. There will still be maintenance, spares, an replacement contracts. If you have worked in defense, you know that contractors will be compelled to maintain all prints, fixtures, jigs, software,production and test equipment. In fact, even when a program is dead, it’s hard to get rid of this stuff.
So, when the threat or need for a larger F-22 force arises, ramping up to production will swift.
Right now we’re talking about 6 aircraft. On any given day, a mission ready rate of 65% is considered good. 6 Raptors won’t make much of a difference.
I agree that 6 raptors aren't very much
Lloyd Davis (Diary) Wednesday, July 22nd at 4:00PM EST (link)My problem is the fact that Dear Leader is so happy about it. He acts like he’s so fiscally responsible when the only time he wants to cut spending is on defense.
actually
streiff (Diary) Wednesday, July 22nd at 10:03AM EST (link)the F-35 is significantly more effective in an air superiority role than the F-15 or F-16.
“What keeps me here is the reek of beer, the ladies and the craic”
That may be but
Lloyd Davis (Diary) Wednesday, July 22nd at 4:02PM EST (link)if the Chinese and the Russians develop a fighter on the level of the F-22, our F-35s will be hard-pressed to match it.