Dec 29, 2004 07:42 UTCThe 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
Continue Reading… »
Dec 29, 2004 01:38 UTCThe New York Times reported that the Department of Defense will retire an unnamed aircraft carrier and buy fewer surface ships in an effort to save money. LPD-17 amphibious landing ships for the Marine Corps will be among those cut from expected procurements, setting back Northrup Grumman’s plans to build five of them in as many years. Altogether the Pentagon hopes to save $60 billion over six years. The cuts include an expensive new Army communications system, a new destroyer (again, primarily from Northrup Grumman) for the navy and the previously reported tamping down of purchases of the F/A-22 stealth fighter.
– Reuters: Pentagon to Retire Carrier, Buy Fewer Ships – Report
