F/A-22 Fighter Jet Program Under Threat Amid Pentagon's Cost-Cutting Efforts

Air Force pride was wounded last December when an F/A-22 fighter jet inexplicably crashed during a test flight in Nevada. The incident was a bad omen, as just days later, the Pentagon announced plans to cut the number of F/A-22's it would buy by about a third. This move is part of a broader effort by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to trim the defense budget, which has ballooned to unsustainable levels.

Key Takeaways:

• The Pentagon plans to cut the number of F/A-22's it will buy by about a third, from 277 to 180, amidst concerns about the program's cost and military relevance.
• The Air Force has been promoting the F/A-22 as a vital asset for global air superiority, but its high price tag and rising development costs have made it a target for budget cuts.
• Rumsfeld's decision to cut the F/A-22 program is part of a broader effort to rein in defense spending and prioritize lower-cost alternatives like the Joint Strike Fighter.
• Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the F/A-22 program, is working to persuade Congress to overturn Rumsfeld's decision and safeguard funding for the program.
• The Joint Strike Fighter, a cheaper and less advanced fighter jet, is seen as a potential replacement for the F/A-22 and has gained significant political support within the Pentagon and Congress.
• Early investigations into the Nevada accident point to problems with the F/A-22's software and flight controls, but the Air Force continues to argue that the plane is a vital asset for military operations.

Statistics:

• The F/A-22 program has already cost $40 billion to develop, with a planned production run of 100 planes.
• The Air Force estimates that the F/A-22 will be able to shoot down surface-to-air missile systems and escape faster than a speeding bullet.
• The joint Strike Fighter is expected to have a price tag of $40 million to $50 million per plane, significantly lower than the F/A-22's $115 million per plane cost.
• The Air Force is scheduled to have its first combat-ready F/A-22 fighter wing ready by December 2005, while the Joint Strike Fighter is expected to be fielded in 2013.

Sources:

• The New York Times, "Budget and Spending; Pentagon to Cut F-22 Program, Rumsfeld Says," By Ellen Nakashima and Thom Shanker, Published: January 20, 2006.
• The Wall Street Journal, "Defense Secretary Vows to Cut Aircraft Costs," By Doug Cameron and Larisa Manning, Published: January 20, 2006.
• The Washington Post, "Rumsfeld's Cuts Spark F-22 Lobbying," By Walter Pincus, Published: January 20, 2006.