No extra F-22s, C-17s for USAF in 2009

Posted on: Oct. 28th, 2007 || Source: airforcetimes.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

The fiscal 2009 budget will not include any funds for the U.S. Air Force to buy F-22 Raptors or C-17 cargo lifters, according to a source with knowledge of internal Pentagon budget discussions.

Top service officials have long said the Air Force needs more than the 183 fifth-generation fighters that made up the “program of record” for the Lockheed Martin-built F-22. Generals have long pushed for a 381 target, using Pentagon-commissioned studies that say the service needs at least 260 as backup. But the Office of the Secretary of Defense appears to be standing firm at 183.

The current multiyear procurement agreement will remain in place, but if the contractor does not get funds in the 2009 budget to purchase long-lead items, the line will close.

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