[Freeport]

One of the reasons we have so convincingly had air dominance for the past 30 years is that we invested in a fighter design that was a generation, or two, ahead of anything else flying at the time.

It's time we do that again and get the AF the 381 aircraft it needs to continue unsurpassed air dominance for the next 30 years.

[Ancesthntr]

I simply cannot understand why we can’t commit to purchasing a large number of these planes over a long period. Yes, I know, there’s a Constitutional limit on the committment of funds - but there are other ways of doing this, like a committment by the leaders of both parties to do this NO MATTER WHAT.

Such a committment would enable the cost per plane to be reduced considerably. It would also make our enemies sit up and take notice that we’re not going to be pushed around, not now or for the foreseeable future. Later (like 5-10 years down the line), we could export somewhat stripped-down and less than state-of-the-art F-22s to closely allied nations like the UK, Canada, Australia, Israel, etc. This would enable us to further offset the fixed costs of R&D and production, while still maintaining a substantial technological lead over everybody else (enemies and allies alike). The sale of a couple hundred F-22s to allied nations will further discourage enemies from screwing around with us or our allies.

[Abathar]

I agree completely - put the money where it can make the most difference, and this is one of the most important ones there is.

[Eagle of Liberty]

An awesome plane that our country should fully invest in.

[He'sComingBack!]

179 F-22’s for the entire Nation...... That’s 3 - 4 aircraft per State!

Come On USA...We can do better than this!! Fund them all!!!

[af_vet_rr]

I'm kind of torn. I don't agree with a lot of what Rumsfeld did, but he made some fairly sound decisions on some programs and where to spend money. The decisions made to go with 1800 F-35s and only a few hundred F-22s are probably fairly sound, given our enemies both current and future. If our economy was not so intertwined with China, and if our government wasn't so friendly towards them, I would say the F-22s were just as important as the F-35s. Even with Russia trying to come back from the dead (and one could argue that they are doing so successfully), it's still a hard call to make between the F-22s and F-35s.

The old pilot in me that came of age just as the F-15 and then F-16 started being deployed, says we need as many F-22s as we can get, but the current high-tech gadget freak in me says the money might be better spent on UAVs, especially since UAVs are starting to become more and more important to the folks on the ground (they are fast turning into some of the infantry's best friends).

I would not be surprised if the F-22s and F-35s are the last manned fighters/close-air support aircraft we buy. The UAVs are getting that good, and some ground units are starting to really rely on them. They are cheaper, can loiter much longer, and can be a much better force-multiplier than most manned aircraft.

[MarineBrat]

From the standpoint of aeronautical engineering, if you look at the extremely uniform pattern of vapor (low pressure area) being produced by those wings & body it tells volumes about the efficiency of the F22’s aerodynamics. Compare it to the F14/15/16/18 and you can see a marked difference.

This is the first photo I’ve seen of the F22 that shows just how efficient it must be at producing lift. Amazing!

[Badeye]

Full agreement.

[CholeraJoe]

The Titanium Queen up in Montana is already ordering more cutting fluid and titanium.

"Give me a big enough lump of titanium and I'll make you a life-size replica of Nike of f*ckin Samothrace."

[napscoordinator]

What did they do with the one’s that they already have??? Do we really need to be spending this kind of money right now??? Have they tried to cut costs and perhaps save money???

Oops. I am not talking to my kids right now am I. LOL.

Give the Air Force those planes they need them!!!

[Jet Jaguar]

Related...

Air Force officials: Service is getting too small, aircraft too old

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1916399/posts

[freekitty]

Those are mighty perty planes.

[ChadGore]

Next year over Tehran, we’ll need every Raptor we can get.

[Nachoman]

All the Air Force brass has to do is tell congress they don’t want them, they don’t need them, spend the money somewhere else.

Congress would be sure to make the Air Force take more of the planes.

[CholeraJoe]

Overnight update from the Titanium Queen: "This ain't gonna happen. Orders for the F-35 and 787 will keep every spindle and production house in the US, Canada and Europe busy for the next 2 years. Boeing will have to shut down the F-22 line for 2 years."

Cartman voice: "Son of a b*tch!"