Posted on 07/30/2009 11:28:07 AM PDT by Yo-Yo
WASHINGTON, July 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday killed new funding for the disputed F-22 fighter jet program as part of a $636.3 billion military spending bill that was expected to clear the chamber.
House action on a vote of 269-165 to bury additional production of Lockheed Martin Corp's (LMT.N) F-22 solidified an important victory for the Obama administration on procurement reform and nullified a veto threat over the matter.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
This isn't about procurement reform, this is about clearing the deck of outyear spending on the military so Obama can spend even more money on his social programs.
It is true that the B-1A was to have low level penetration, but it was still planned to be a mach 2+ strategic bomber. The B-1B had an increased payload, decreased top speed, and although many conventional weapons integration too way too long, it became a multi-role bomber. I believe the B-1B also lost the B-1A’s F-111 style crew ejection module for conventional ejection seats.
And of course you are correct about the XB-70, the aircraft that Soviets designed the MiG-25 for. The Valkyrie had no low-level capabilities at all.
“...sensor fusion, data link sharing, and helmet mounted cueing and system displays” are already on the latest active versions of the F22, and work with AWACs to locate and direct lessor planes like the F16 to targets.
The F16’s may or may not have something advanced on them, but nothing classified, further the F16 has been superseded as an air superiority fighter by several versions of existing Flankers and holds no threat to later models, let alone SU’s next generations.
“F-22A Raptor is a tremedous dog-fighter” and there is no existing or future planned plan which negates its effectiveness; in short the F22 is not just a “tremendous” dog-fighter, but the most superior fighter ever built.
Sounds like you must be in either the “feed the homeless first” group, or the “drones are the future” camp. Could be wrong, but that's how it sounds.
And yes the Chinese and Russian Mil and their 3rd country advisers will expect them in those “places” and try hitting them with anti-access weapons, which neither the F16 nor the F35 can defeat. Those are the weapons the F22 was designed to take out before the F16s or F35s entered the combat zone.
Neither the Russian nor the Chinese Mils are stupid - that honor falls to the US’s Mil perfumed princes, who like Sec. Gates are in the game for the power and politics - winning wars are optional as are the weapons to achieve victory.
Cheers
The “Stimulus Package” was of course never designed to save or create any jobs. For a couple of more days likely we could have had all 750 built.
Wait til you see how many professional jobs are lost when Our Dear Leader ends NASA’s manned space program...
“Obama’s goal of taking down the last superpower is still on track.
“Can’t have a superpower without de-industrializing it.
“Can’t have world government if a superpower exists.”
Can’t have a world government without de-stabilizing the superpower.
Can’t have a world government without Obama to head it.
It is important for the Soviets to be able to sell more fighters in order to advance the Ci-cago agenda.
I beg to differ. Helmet cueing is not part of any F-22, nor part of any planned upgrades. Very interesting reading:
And Dave Majumdar's article that the above Dew Line blog post is based on: Sharpening the Raptor's talons
...Unfortunately, while Increment 3.2 includes a HOBS capable weapon, it does not include provisions for a helmet mounted cueing system (HMCS), which some consider as being essential. “The JROC validated F-22 Capabilities Production Document, which defines requirements for all Increment 3 changes, does not include provisions for a HMCS. A HMCS may be considered as part of the post Increment 3 trade space”, Miller said. However, the addition of the AIM-9X will significantly increase the Raptor’s within visual range combat prowess even without such a helmet.
...
Despite the addition of the MADL, the F-22 will retain its own proprietary Intra-flight Data Link (IFDL). The one major shortcoming of the new MADL data link is that it does nothing to address the inability of the Raptor to transfer data off-board to legacy fourth generation aircraft such as the F-15s or F-16s except by means of voice communications.
Don’t get your panties in a bunch. China was used as an example. If it bothers you so much, replace China with Venezuela.
I guess this means the Russians and the Chinese will be scrapping their 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Programs.
Remember Obama saying he wouldn't weaponize space? I'm sure as soon as those words exited his mouth, the Russians and Chinese scrapped their Space Weaponization plans as well.
Chamberlain had nothing on Barry Sortero.
Guess the USA is getting out of the business of building (good) Jet Fighters. Hopely the Russian will sells us some of thiers. I am pretty sure the magic bullet F-35 is going to be a dud in Air to Air.
Yeah, you’re right. I don’t think the first shoe has even hit the floor yet.
ROFLOL,
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.