Pentagon weighs Joint Strike Fighter cuts - source

Posted on: Jul. 30th, 2005 || Source: washingtonpost.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. defense officials are considering proposals to slash the $245 billion Joint Strike Fighter program by hundreds of planned jets to save money, a source briefed on the discussions said on Friday.

The source, who asked not to be identified, confirmed a report in Friday's Financial Times that the Defense Department could decide to make deep cuts in the Lockheed Martin Corp. effort -- the nation's most expensive arms program -- later this year.

The jet, being developed in three models with Britain and seven other U.S. allies, is not yet in production. Of the tentatively planned 2,400 U.S. aircraft, the Air Force would get some 1,700, the Marine Corps at least 400 and the Navy up to 300.

The Financial Times said Pentagon officials were discussing possibly dropping the Air Force or Navy versions.

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