Air Force Slates F-117 And B-52 For Cuts F-22 Raptors (????)

Space Daily ^ | Jan 11, 2005 | UPI

[Bender2]

Air Force Slates F-117 And B-52 For Cuts F-22 Raptors

The Air Force wants to retire the entire F-117 stealth fighter fleet by 2008 and cut the fleet of B-52 bombers in half, but increase the buy of its cherished F-22 fighter from 179 to 183 aircraft.

Program Budget Decision 720, the "Air Force Transformation Flight Plan," outlines the service's plan to save more than $21 billion between 2007 and 2011 and direct that money into programs that make the Air Force a "more lethal, more agile, streamlined force with an increased emphasis on the warfighter."

[Bender2]

Before we go cutting the B-52 fleet and grounding all the F-117s and throwing away the keys, let's make darn sure the F-22 Raptors live up to their billing...

[ASA Vet]

let's make darn sure the F-22 Raptors live up to their billing.

They'll get their combat testing in the Iran theater of operations soon.

[Bender2]

Re: "They'll get their combat testing in the Iran theater of operations soon."

Maybe so, but we only have 12 of them operational now...

[bmwcyle]

They will most likely put in the bone yard at a level to be refurbished easily.

[mr_hammer]

I can see the F-117 going, but the B-52's are still fast and carry an enormous amount of kill power. Just a thought from a civilian here.

[Dog Gone]

There must be something wrong with the F-117 to wish to retire it so soon.

[gaijin]

I heard they're also in the market for a new long-range bomber.

This is preparation to FIGHT CHINA.

[Sax]

I might be mistaken, but didn't the F-117s have a performance for stealth trade-off? The new F-22's have new generation stealth and superior performance, so they weigh in better in both categories. But it is obvious the USAF is so confident, they're putting all their eggs in the F-22's basket.

[L,TOWM]

Only FOUR more Raptors for half the BUFFs and all of the Nighthawks?

The AF must think the Raptors are one HECK of an aircraft. Maybe my amateurism is showing, but the idea of ringing up a couple of wings worth of BUFF's and turning a few square miles at a time into moonscape is kind of appealing...

[pfflier]

but the B-52's are still fast

I'll bet you never had a 22 hr mission in a BUFF.

[Bender2]

Re: "There must be something wrong with the F-117 to wish to retire it so soon."

We did lose that one F-117 in Clinton's Bosnian Adventure and I've read a few reports that the Russkies have an advanced radar that can track them, but I've not heard of any real problem...

[taxcontrol]

Does seem kinda -- I don't know "all your eggs in one basket" mentality. I'd remind the Air Force not to make the same mistake that the Army did.

The Bradley was first intended as a scout vehicle. As more and more capabilities were added to the requirements list to save costs with other programs, the vehicle became more multipurpose, then heavier, then more armored, then more lethal and now it is a troop carrying tank. It is so big and armored and lethal that it no longer can be used in it's intended role and is now LESS deployable than the Hummer or Stryker and the Army is now back to maintaining separate programs to meet the changing needs of the battlefield.

I hope the F22 does not suffer the same fate.

[MNJohnnie]

The B-52 are 50 years old. It has long outlived it's shelf life. The Raptor is a stealth design that makes use of the latest technology. The reason the Stealth looks so goofy is it is an immature technology. They could only build straight panels. It makes the stealth really difficult to fly. Maybe the Armchair generals might hold off on this and let the PROFESSIONALS do their jobs with out their "help" this time?

[Bommer]

[Spktyr]

They're slow, carry a tiny bomb load, and don't have any air-to-air capability. Well, they can carry a couple of air to air missiles, but that displaces their bomb load, so....

That said, they work great in the old Wild Weasel role and in surgical strikes in heavily defended territory. I suspect that the 117's replacement is already in service, however.

[Little Ray]

They are apparently going to buy AND maintain 4 more Raptors for that package.

[Bender2]

Re: "Maybe my amateurism is showing, but the idea of ringing up a couple of wings worth of BUFF's and turning a few square miles at a time into moonscape is kind of appealing..."

This other amateur agrees!

[jbwbubba]

Some of the first pilots who flew the B-52 are dead now from old age. and the F117 was designed in the 70's. F117s are also hard, and expensive in terms of upkeep. However, they have tried to kill the B52 for 30 years and haven't done it yet, and Lets face it the F117 is too cool looking to kill.

[MNJohnnie]

The new F-22's have new generation stealth and superior performance, so they weigh in better in both categories

Exactly, the Stealth is build on inferior technology. Now that they have worked out the kinks, Raptor is WAY better designed. In case you all missed it, the 117 is 20 year old air frame design.

[ASA Vet]

Should be enough for testing purposes.