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Aerospace industry

Senate Appropriations Committee Boosts Funding for F-22 Raptor and C-17 Transport Aircraft

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) has increased funding for the F-22A Raptor supersonic stealth fighter aircraft by $1.4 billion, or 85.9%, to $3.38 billion. The committee has also ordered the Air Force to maintain funding for the C-17 transport aircraft in the next Pentagon budget. These decisions were made as the SAC drafted its version of the defense appropriations bill for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007.

The SAC's bill includes $453.5 billion in funding, $9 billion less than President Bush's request, and $50 billion for the war on terrorism, including operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The committee unanimously approved the bill with a 28-0 vote, which will now go to the Senate floor and then to a conference committee to iron out differences with a House-passed version of the defense outlays legislation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SAC increased funding for the F-22 Raptor by $1.4 billion, or 85.9%, to $3.38 billion, while ordering the Air Force to maintain funding for the C-17 transport aircraft in the 2008 budget.
  • The committee boosted funding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program by $380 million, or 12%, to $3.5 billion, but criticized the program for its high costs and delays.
  • The SAC slashed $1.2 billion from the administration's request for the F-35 program, citing concerns about rushing the development process and high risks of cost increases and schedule delays.
  • The committee approved $219 million in additional funding for the F/A-18-E/F Super Hornet strike fighter program, but cut $257.4 million from the administration's request for the E/A-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.
  • The SAC funded one LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) in fiscal 2007, reducing the number of ships from two to one, citing concerns about rising costs and affordability.

Statistics:

  • $453.5 billion: Total funding in the SAC's bill for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007.
  • $9 billion: Reduction in funding from President Bush's request.
  • $50 billion: Funding for the war on terrorism, including operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  • $3.38 billion: Increased funding for the F-22 Raptor.
  • $3.5 billion: Funding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
  • $1.2 billion: Reduction in funding from the administration's request for the F-35 program.
  • $219 million: Additional funding for the F/A-18-E/F Super Hornet strike fighter program.
  • $257.4 million: Reduction in funding from the administration's request for the E/A-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.
  • $300.67 million: Funding for one LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) in fiscal 2007.

Sources:

  • "Senate Appropriations Committee Boosts Funding for F-22 Raptor and C-17 Transport Aircraft," Dave Ahearn, July 13, 2006.
  • [Copyright 2006 Access Intelligence, LLC. All rights reserved.]

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