Pentagon duels Congress to a standstill on F-22; Raptor production in jeopardy

Defense Dept. leaders appear to have effectively choked off further purchases by using a loophole in the Fiscal 2009 defense spending bill. Lawmakers say the Pentagon must spend $140 million in advance procurement funding appropriated for 20 F-22s. But John Young, the Pentagon’s acquisition czar, says that only $50 million will be spent on components for four aircraft.

This latest move is another dollop of payback offered up by senior Pentagon officials for the Air Force’s sin of making its needs for more F-22s and C-17s known directly to Congress, instead of filtering them through the Pentagon’s chain of command.

“The law does not require me to buy these airplanes as [a block of] 20,” Young told House Armed Services’ air and land forces subcommittee. He says the aim is to save the taxpayers’ money by acquiring the aircraft in a group of four now, and 16 in the next war supplemental “to preserve the options of the next administration.”
www.aviationweek.com.../awst_xml/2008/1 1/24/AW_11_24_2008_p27-99648.xml&headline=F-22%2FF-35+Numbers+Battle+Picks+Up+Steam

It seems that the pentagon is seeking payback for the USAF going directly to congress for F-22's and C-17's. They are using a loophole in the bill that allows them to only pre fund 4 instead of 20 that the congress autorized.

Seems a bit petty and childish no? Perhaps they need less of a budget next go round if they have the time to play these games.

So what would this bring the f-22 total to now?

I remember back in the day talk of 500+ units.

Jensy