Analysts Predict QDR Will Bring JSF Cuts

Posted on: Oct. 10th, 2005 || Source: defensenews.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

Analysts Predict QDR Will Bring JSF Cuts

A Pentagon tactical aircraft study being done for the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) likely will recommend fleetwide reductions that will lead to a cut in domestic F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) purchases, said Lexington Institute analyst Loren Thompson.

The QDR team in the Office of Net Assessment “is likely to recommend a 30 percent cut in tactical air forces,” Thompson said.

That would likely mean the Air Force would return to its earlier plans to buy about 400 F/A-22s Raptors and 1,000 F-35s. “In the case of the Navy, that cut could result in elimination of the carrier-based variant of the F-35,” he said.

The JSF program office did not comment by press time.

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