Air Force wants to buy 20 more F-22 Raptors

Posted on: Dec. 5th, 2006 || Source: dfw.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

Air Force wants to buy 20 more F-22 Raptors

WASHINGTON - In a potential boost for Fort Worth-based Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, the Air Force is pressing to extend production of the F-22 Raptor for at least one year beyond the planned termination early in the next decade, a top Air Force acquisition official said Monday.

The Air Force wants to buy an additional 20 Raptors in the 2010 fiscal year, boosting the service's total purchase to 203 F-22s, said Ken Miller, special assistant to Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne.

A plan approved by Congress this year calls for 60 F-22 purchases through 2009, 20 a year. Unless extended beyond that point, F-22 production is slated to end in 2011 as Lockheed Martin accelerates production of the F-35 joint strike fighter, which is scheduled to make its first flight within weeks.

Air Force officials, who originally wanted more than 700 F-22s, have been open about their dissatisfaction with the latest cap of 183 and have continually insisted that they need at least 381 of the stealthy twin-engine fighters to maintain U.S. air superiority. But this is the first time the service has publicly outlined its hopes to raise the ceiling.

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