F-15 replacement debate intensifies

[unhappycamper]

F-15 replacement debate intensifies
By John T. Bennett - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 15, 2008 7:09:36 EST

Gordon England, U.S. deputy defense secretary, clashed with Democrats on the House Appropriations defense subcommittee on Wednesday over which fifth-generation fighter the Air Force should purchase to replace aging F-15 strike fighters.

The pointed exchange between the panel’s vice chairman, Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., and England was the latest development this week in a string of comments that spotlights a growing schism between the Bush administration’s Pentagon team and key lawmakers about whether the Air Force should buy more F-22 Raptors or F-35 Lightning IIs to replace worn-out F-15s.

On one side are top Pentagon officials, led by England, who remain soundly opposed to buying more than about 190 F-22s. This group would favor replacing grounded F-15s with F-35s, also known as Joint Strike Fighters, which are expected to have a lower per-plane price tag.

On the other side are lawmakers like Dicks and Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., the subcommittee chairman, who are leaning toward buying more Raptors, mainly because its production line already is humming. U.S. defense behemoth Lockheed Martin makes both warplanes.

The exchange began during a hearing on the White House’s 2009 defense budget plan, when Dicks questioned the administration’s decision to essentially take no definitive action on the F-22 program other than not paying to shutter the production line.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/defense_fighterdebate_080213/



uhc comment: This post is a perfect example of propaganda. Here's yesterday's thread on the 'debate' --> Debate intensifies over replacement for F-15