F-22 Procurement Expanded to 203 / Plus 14 F-35's in 2009

As competition between the F-22 and the F-35 for procurement funds eases, yet another extention of the F-22's assembly line may be taking place.



On September 25th 2008, Congress ok'ed a 2009 defense appropriations bill that opens the door for at least 20 more F-22's bringing the number of Raptors to 203. The door is left open for more should the next administration sign off on it.



Congress has also ok'ed procurement of 14 F-35's in 2009. This is in addition to the units being made for Great Britain, The Netherlands and Israel.

More details:
Raptor line hot as F-35 ramps up: AW&ST, 09/29/2008 , page 36

Thats fantastic news if they build more Raptors IMHO. SO which of the two presidents are more likely to kill further Raptor production?

Here's another source, 'because you need to log-in for that one.

Negotiators agree to buy more F-22s, Zumwalt destroyers.

www.govexec.com...

---

I beleive the funding for the 20 aircraft is for the final batch of 20 aircraft of the 183 aircraft.... not extra provisions like this...:

They added a House-passed provision authorizing $523 million in advance procurement for another 20 aircraft in fiscal 2010 -- planes the Pentagon has not planned on acquiring. The bill includes $2.1 billion for six C-17 Globemaster III cargo planes not requested by the Pentagon.

www.govexec.com...

.

Could someone explain this to me?

reply to post by FredT

On another forum there was a rather detailed discussion about it. However, it's against T&C unless I get approval from staff...

[edit on 30/9/2008 by C0bzz]

reply to post by intelgurl


Looks like Congress wants to keep producing the C-17 and F-22. The USAF may in the future receive additional Raptors nice the line stays open for the next administration.

[edit on 30-9-2008 by WestPoint23]

Is this the first of the 2 batches of 20 that were requested?
My question after review is much like C0bzz's. Are these planes extra or are they from the original build. Is anyone clear on this?

[edit on 30-9-2008 by Canada_EH]

reply to post by Canada_EH


Original build. I believe this is the last batch in the 183+4 cap. Any new orders would have to be made by the next administration. They will find the line open and have time to decide whether to procure more.

Out of all the spending that Congress does, I think that buying the 22 is the best defense purchase that we can make. Well, that and research bettering the MRE. OK - the F-22, better MRE's and a replacement for the hummer... and the M-4 replacement. That's it.

And better body armor.

That's it.

Why not simply retire ALL 730+ F-15's/ 900+ F-16's/ ALL existing F-18's, and just build 2000 F-22's and 1000 F-35's

Originally posted by wantawanta
Why not simply retire ALL 730+ F-15's/ 900+ F-16's/ ALL existing F-18's, and just build 2000 F-22's and 1000 F-35's

Redundancy in different designs - what happens if, like recently with the F-15, a design issue is found that requires urgent attention on the entire fleet? Suddenly, half your entire airforce is grounded and in maintenance...

Originally posted by wantawanta
Why not simply retire ALL 730+ F-15's/ 900+ F-16's/ ALL existing F-18's, and just build 2000 F-22's and 1000 F-35's

2000 F-22's??!!??!!

I Wish!!!!!



[edit on 9-30-2008 by intelgurl]

Originally posted by intelgurl
2000 F-22's??!!??!!

I Wish!!!!!

I know its kinda tongue in cheek...


But, nah, ye don't really...

That kinda procurement would starve all other programs (inc. UAVs) and with the number of F-22s available, would reduce the immediate need for UAVs.

Originally posted by RichardPrice

Originally posted by wantawanta
Why not simply retire ALL 730+ F-15's/ 900+ F-16's/ ALL existing F-18's, and just build 2000 F-22's and 1000 F-35's

Redundancy in different designs - what happens if, like recently with the F-15, a design issue is found that requires urgent attention on the entire fleet? Suddenly, half your entire airforce is grounded and in maintenance...

I mean during WWII Rus/U.S. built over 35,000 Yak's/P-51's

Originally posted by wantawanta
I mean during WWII Rus/U.S. built over 35,000 Yak's/P-51's

Different era.

Different cost and complexity per machine.

Originally posted by kilcoo316

Originally posted by intelgurl
2000 F-22's??!!??!!

I Wish!!!!!

I know its kinda tongue in cheek...


But, nah, ye don't really...

Yes you are right, I was being facetious, such a procurement would be an obscene amount of money, not as expensive as "the bailout" but still ridiculous.

If such a thing were to occur I could see the US State Dept to the international community:

"What? you need rice and grain? Sorry but we can send some Raptors to bomb the crap outa your neighbors..."

"Huh? You need a Navy battlegroup in the Straight of Hormuz? Sorry, all we got are these dang Raptors..."

"What's that you say? You need some help cleaning up after a tsunami? Dude, we are sooo sorry, all we got are these freakin' Raptors, now if you need us to bomb the tsunami victims we're here to help!"

"How's that? You have a cholera epidemic? Look, all we got are these stinkin' Raptors - if you can figure out how they can help give us a call back..."

[edit on 10-1-2008 by intelgurl]