England Launches New Fighter Review - More fighter cuts?!

Source URL: http://www.afa.org/magazine/Oct2005/1005watch.asp
Posted at: http://www.air-attack/com/news/news_article/670

Gordon R. England, the prospective deputy secretary of defense, has launched a study aimed at further slashing the future size of the US military’s fighter fleet. The terms of the study indicate a clear intent to make deeper cuts in the already truncated F/A-22 and F-35 programs to reduce defense spending.

In an Aug. 4 memo to the service Secretaries, England said he had commissioned a study headed by the firm of Whitney, Bradley, & Brown, Inc., to “facilitate greater optimization of tactical aircraft.” The goal of the study, England said, will be to “identify capabilities and efficiencies” resulting from rationalizing “Air Force, Navy, Marine, National Guard, and Reserve TACAIR.” The company will have support from the vice chiefs of staff of the services and report directly to England and the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

As Navy Secretary, England commissioned a similar study—from the same company—regarding optimization of Marine and Navy fighter aviation. The result was the merger of the two air arms and a reduction of more than 400 aircraft from the Navy’s planned inventory of the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter.

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