Pentagon Planning Cuts to F/A-22 Fighter Jet Program

Posted on: Dec. 29th, 2004 || Source: reuters.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Pentagon is planning sharp cuts in the Air Force's program for its new F/A-22 fighter jet in a move budget analysts said was intended to offset mounting U.S. deficits and the growing costs of the Iraq war, Wednesday's New York Times reported.

The newspaper said the Pentagon's decision, which four administration and Congressional officials described on Tuesday and which Congress must still approve, comes as the Bush administration is pressing all agencies to scale back spending requests for the fiscal year 2006 budget, which will be submitted to lawmakers early next year.

The U.S. Air Force has estimated the total F/A-22 acquisition program for 277 planes will run about $72 billion, making it the most expensive fighter jet in history. The aircraft, known as the Raptor, is due to enter service in December 2005.

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