F-22 Production May Be Slowed

Published: Dec 14, 2005
Source: www.postchronicle.com



WASHINGTON, The F-22 production line is likely to slow down to keep manufacturer Lockheed Martin's line "warm" until the Joint Strike Fighter line starts, a top Air Force official said.

"I have a feeling the rate will diminish," said Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne Tuesday at a meeting with reporters.

Lockheed Martin and Boeing have teamed to build the aircraft, which has seen its funding and prospects move steadily downward. When it was first conceived 20 years ago the Air Force expected to buy more than 700. The service now anticipates buying just 183, enough to field seven combat squadrons. Because development costs have risen and the number of aircraft dropped, the F-22 now ticks in with a per plane cost of $345 million, according to a March Government Accountability Office report.continue..