by DAVID AXE
The House just added $300 million to buy parts for a dozen F-22 Raptors, to be fully funded next fiscal year. If the measure survives the conference with Senate appropriators, and actually gets honored by the Pentagon, the Raptor fleet will top out at 199. That’s probably enough for the existing seven combat squadrons, plus permanent test and training birds.
But recall that Congress told the military to buy 20 extra Raptors last year, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates essentially ignored the order. Gates is determined to shift to a smaller Air Force, with fewer fighters and more drones. But Congress loves Raptors — and the thousands of Raptor jobs. Expect this fight to continue.
(Photo: David Axe)
Related:
Offiziere.ch: the Emerging U.S. Counter-Insurgency Air Force
Congressional Budget Office’s Plans to Save the Air Force
Air Force Turns a Corner
Gates Budgetpalooza: Air Force Loses Altitude
The Day U.S. Air Power Was Saved from Itself
F-22s versus Russia’s Rusting, Ramshackle Air Force
Analysts: Buy Fighters, or Die
Boeing Unveils New “Stealthy” F-15
Getting the Most from Your New F-22
Advocating a Systemic View of Air Superiority
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