Pentagon to end F-22 program

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jaffo4011

New Member
what a shame for the usaf,187 aircraft willl barely cover its needs and stretch the f15 fleet even further...im not sure that f35's will be a adequate performer in the air to air role......

looks like japan will almost certainly be buying typhoons for its air defence requirements then.........
 
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AegisFC

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
This is just Secretary Gate's recommendation, perhaps we should wait until after Congress passes the budget, they can modify the budget as they see fit.
 
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Salty Dog

Defense Professional
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AegisFC said:
This is just Secretary Gate's recommendation, perhaps we should wait until after Congress passes the budget, they can modify the budget as they see fit.
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US lawmakers have the tendency to increase rather than decrease defense acquisitions. F-22 work is spread around enough that no one will really want to see jobs go away. My humble opinion.
 
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AegisFC

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Salty Dog said:
US lawmakers have the tendency to increase rather than decrease defense acquisitions. F-22 work is spread around enough that no one will really want to see jobs go away. My humble opinion.
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That's my reading as well, already the affected congressmen are gearing up for a fight.
 
Ananda

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Good news for 'stealth' F 15 ???

Salty Dog said:
US lawmakers have the tendency to increase rather than decrease defense acquisitions. F-22 work is spread around enough that no one will really want to see jobs go away. My humble opinion.
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Agreed on that, however the stouch allies in US congress for F 22 seems rely on republican that increasingly becomes minority. The democrats seems more on getting the economics packaged. In sense I read thay they bellive by getting F 35 and sacrivicing the F 22 will still get the roughly same jobs.

Perhaps with this also show potential the new 'stealth' F 15 will also getting US orders ??:)
 
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spectre000

New Member
I was betting on just another 20 plane order stretched out over the next 18 months, not a full cancellation. I'll still believe it only when the final budget gets voted though. We could still see F-22 production pass 200 planes.

It's good to see increased funding for the F-35 though. I don't buy all the naysayers saying this plane isn't good. I'll take a US trained pilot in the F-35 vs a Chinese/Russian Su-30 anyday.
 
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Sea Toby

New Member
With allies worried about any delays of the F-35 program, Gates wants to speed up the F-35 program instead of building more F-22s. Wise choice.

This should finish the F-22 once and for all. Last year four more were bought waiting for a decision from a new administration. There are more Democrats in the Senate and House, repeating last year's additional four will be much more difficult with this year's Congress. I knew it was over when Gates was confirmed as the defense secretary. He hasn't changed his mind whatsoever.
 
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rjmaz1

New Member
We should consider this good news.

It was the only logical solution. I saw this coming a mile off, the money will be MUCH better spent in the JSF program.

Now we just need the official nail in the coffin.

The US will now be able to release the true performance characteristics of the F-35 without worrying about it stealing sales from the F-22.
 
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Sea Toby

New Member
Probably come to America and attempt to change public opinion here. But our defense media is a bit more on top of the issue. At the moment Obama can do no wrong with our media, they would tear him apart.

If Australia is going to buy more C-17s, this year will be your last chance. I am sure if there are no more orders Boeing will have to close the plant after finishing the last one.

With the A-400 program in a mess, Lockheed's C-130J-30s are beginning to look good again. Or the CASA 295M and C-27J Spartan.
 
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benithisrael

Banned Member
Costs weigh too much

The f-22s costs far outweigh its requirements in the current requirement scenario. Further with the economy in turmoil its better to go in for the f-35 than f-22. Anyway the defence establishment is not going to give up the most superior fighter of present day standards that easily atleast they will push funding for another low cost version of f-22. real soon.
 
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Salty Dog

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
benithisrael said:
The f-22s costs far outweigh its requirements in the current requirement scenario. Further with the economy in turmoil its better to go in for the f-35 than f-22. Anyway the defence establishment is not going to give up the most superior fighter of present day standards that easily atleast they will push funding for another low cost version of f-22. real soon.
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This is interesting. What "low cost version" of the F-22 are you bringing up?
 
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Red

New Member
My understanding is that the F-22 production will stop in 2010 and momentarily thereafter. There are still hundreds of F15C/Es, F 18s and more than 1000 F16s to be replaced. No doubt many would be replaced by F-35s, however, I do not believe that they will cap production of F-22s at 187 planes. At some point, more F-22s will be procured to replace ageing planes.

Further, US allies would be looking for replacements for the F18 E/Fs and F15 varients in the time to come anyhow. I admit that there could be a new plane altogether but the F15 lasted that long and is still relevant...

Also, LM has under-reported the strengths of the F35 by thier own admission. It is a better aircraft then what they have always been saying.

Edit: I just feel that this no more than political hedging on the part of the Obama administration at this juncture of his presidency. Things may look different later; especially when the American economy recovers. Things may look even more different in a post Obama presidency.
 
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Falstaff

New Member
Red said:
however, I do not believe that they will cap production of F-22s at 187 planes. At some point, more F-22s will be procured to replace ageing planes.
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In your opinion, what point would that be? Once the decision to stop production is final they'll stop producing the long-lead-items first, then step by step the other bits and parts. Machinery will be sold or scrapped, personnel will be assigned to other jobs or companies, as long as providing spare parts is not affected. I don't know what the F-22's ramp-up costs were, bloody expensive is my guess.
It would be very, very expensive to resume production again.

SpudmanWP said:
Maybe F-22 with F-35 radar, F-35 avionics, and F-35 RAM.
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Then why not buy F-35 anyway?
 
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F-15 Eagle

New Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #20
Maybe they will finally put 6 internal AMRAAMs or 12 of those new smaller AAMs(can't remember the name) and add a supercruse capability to the F-35?
 
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