New Jet Fighter May Prove Victim of its Cost

The F/A-22 program seems to be in trouble, with the New York Times reporting that the Air Force’s new Raptor fighter jet will be the target of budget cuts. In a gelling agreement between Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and congressional leaders, the originally slated 277 planes may be cut to a total of 160. The jets cost more than a quarter billion dollars each. Primary contractor Lockheed Martin indicated it hadn’t yet been notified of any proposed changes. – Reuters and NYT report: Pentagon Planning Cuts to Fighter Jet Program – NYT