(Air Force Times) Backtalk: The case for the Raptor

The case for the Raptor
By Sen. Orrin Hatch

During the coming weeks, Congress will debate a stimulus package designed to revive our nation’s faltering economy. However, even during this period of uncertainty, a critical opportunity has arisen to make investments that will become the foundation not only for near-term economic recovery but for lasting economic strength.

Prudent, enduring investments are essential for a growing economy. Visionary decisions are essential to preserve our nation’s long-term security. Just as Wall Street and our government must relearn financial fundamentals, we must not forget the tenets of Gens. William “Billy” Mitchell and Carl Spaatz, who emphasized the necessity of air superiority to ensure America’s ability to conventionally deter or eliminate threats anywhere in the world.

Today, only one aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, meets those fundamental principles, guaranteeing our nation’s pre-eminence in the air.

Some seek to end production of this unprecedented fighter/bomber before sufficient numbers are procured. Fortunately, the opportunity to ensure our nation makes the proper long-term investment in F-22 production will present itself to President Barack Obama days after his inauguration. Under current law, the new president will have until March 1 to authorize the continued production of the F-22, which has the increasingly novel distinction of being manufactured on time and on budget.

For a relativity modest sum, potential adversaries, such as Iran, with its oil wealth and apparent insistence on developing nuclear weapons, could acquire advanced anti-access air defense systems. Such systems could include the next generation of Russian surface-to-air missiles, such as the S-300 and S-400. This would make penetrating a defended airspace extremely difficult for aircraft that lack advanced stealth technology and the sustained supersonic speeds of supercruise engines.


Rest of article about this $355,000,000 wonder at: http://airforcetimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_backtalk_raptor_020209/%2e



uhc comment: So if the F-22 is 'on budget', why do you guys continue to spout the $200 million a copy bullshit?