JSF Cuts Possible As 2008 Budget Crafted

Posted on: Oct. 27th, 2006 || Source: Flight Global | E-mail Article | Print Article

JSF Cuts Possible As 2008 Budget Crafted

U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England hosted a high-level Pentagon meeting Oct. 26, which comes ahead of finalizing the fiscal 2008 defense budget request and after he met with the Pentagon's Cost Analysis Improvement Group and a special team assembled to study FY '07 congressional mandates.

No decisions were reached, although the short takeoff and landing version was discussed.

Congress reinstated the General Electric-Rolls Royce alternative engine for the Joint Strike Fighter, which the Pentagon likely will pay for with cuts to the production profile and slowed low-rate initial production. Also in play are draft Navy and Air Force budget proposals for FY '08, both of which reduce JSF production funds in 2008.

In fact, aerospace industry representatives said England might even entertain a 10 percent cut, although details were lacking Oct. 26 whether it could be - most likely - a 2008 budget reduction or a long-term cut to the $276 billion program. But they contend that the CAIG meeting was not for making decisions or recommendations on acquisition numbers.

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