Article

2008-06-10 Science & Technology

F-22 decisions delayed until end of Bush term

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Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2008-06-10 16:17|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 Mr. Gates: If it's a political decision, it's not a "need", it's a "want"...

Posted by mojo">mojo 2008-06-10 16:43|| 2008-06-10 16:43|| Front Page Top

#2 I'm sure a Democrat admin would make the same courteous nod....

yeah, right, who'm I kidding

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-06-10 18:38|| 2008-06-10 18:38|| Front Page Top

#3 "the F-22 has no role in the war on terror. "

But it has a hell of a role in a conventional conflict, such as a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-06-10 19:20|| 2008-06-10 19:20|| Front Page Top

#4 And 187 should be enough for that. The question is, do we need another 200? I find it hard to believe that would be the highest and best use of the funds involved, about 20 billion for the airplanes alone. That would buy a lot of 1-5.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-06-10 19:27|| 2008-06-10 19:27|| Front Page Top

#5 Well, by leaving it up o the next administration, you're either a) betting that administration will be Republican and the wise decision will be made, or b) betting the administration will be Democrat in which case you're throwing away a weapon system the country needs because the Democrats and Obama will sure as hell cancel it if it's the least little bit offensive in capabilities.

Posted by FOTSGreg">FOTSGreg 2008-06-10 19:30|| 2008-06-10 19:30|| Front Page Top

#6 By leaving it to the next administration you remove shutting down the production line in about half the congressional districts as a campaign issue for the fall. I doubt either administration will fund it because there are just too many other good ways to spend the money, like developing a UCAV follow on.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-06-10 19:33|| 2008-06-10 19:33|| Front Page Top

#7 Mr. Spemble, I disagree. I'd rather buy more F-22's and -35's, which are developed now, than throw the assembly line away and start bleeding money on developing a third airframe and then building an assembly line for it.

Posted by Abdominal Snowman 2008-06-10 21:46|| 2008-06-10 21:46|| Front Page Top

#8 THE TEST by GolfBravoUSMC

hummmm...

1. A GMLRS within 50 miles, on call 24/7
2. A 155 battery, equipped with Excalibur, within 20 miles, on call 24/7
3. A armed Predator or Reaper orbiting 24/7
4. A A-10 Warthog available with 20 minutes
5. A Apache available within 30-40 minutes
6. A F-22 Raptor able to sneak in without detection

******************************************
You are in ground combat in Sadr City or Tora Bora

To attack in Sadr City or Tora Bora:
in this order:

2. A 155 battery, equipped with Excalibur, within 20 miles, on call 24/7
4. A A-10 Warthog available with 20 minutes
1. A GMLRS within 50 miles, on call 24/7
5. A Apache available within 30-40 minutes
3. A armed Predator or Reaper orbiting 24/7

*************************************************
extra credit: LOL!
To defend in Sadr City or Tora Bora:

2. A 155 battery, equipped with Excalibur, within 20 miles, on call 24/7
4. A A-10 Warthog available with 20 minutes
1. A GMLRS within 50 miles, on call 24/7
5. A Apache available within 30-40 minutes
3. A armed Predator or Reaper orbiting 24/7

Posted by RD">RD 2008-06-10 22:46|| 2008-06-10 22:46|| Front Page Top

#9 I made the assumption that I have battalion Intel and recon assets...

if not then the Predator or Reaper orbiting 24/7 is paramount.

Posted by RD">RD 2008-06-10 23:08|| 2008-06-10 23:08|| Front Page Top

#10 I was told there'd be no tests after cocktail hour :-(

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-06-10 23:22|| 2008-06-10 23:22|| Front Page Top

23:54 JosephMendiola
23:46 JosephMendiola
23:25 JosephMendiola
23:22 Frank G
23:13 3dc
23:08 RD
23:00 JosephMendiola
22:56 JosephMendiola
22:51 JosephMendiola
22:46 RD
22:46 Anonymoose
22:19 SOG475
22:15 SOG475
21:46 Abdominal Snowman
21:45 AzCat
21:39 Frank G
21:37 Frank G
21:26 JosephMendiola
21:20 Frank G
21:16 Frank G
21:16 JosephMendiola
21:15 McZoid
21:03 RD
21:03 Procopius2k