DoD Buzz: Wynne Criticizes Young’s F-22 Decision

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Wynne Criticizes Young’s F-22 Decision
By Colin Clark Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 12:32 pm
Posted in Air, Intelligence, Policy, Space

The Pentagon plans to buy four more F-22s (@ $355,000,000 each) in the next supplemental spending bill and Young announced Wednesday that he has approved Air Force spending of as much as $50 million for advance procurement.

“This ADM allows for the procurement of parts support for 4 aircraft beyond the 183 total F-22’s that DoD has already contracted for,” Young’s spokesman, Chris Isleib, said in an email.

Young pointed out in a statement that the draft Pentagon budget for 2010 does not include money for F-22s. The newly approved ADM provides “a bridge to a January decision by the next administration” on whether and how many more F-22s to buy, up to the congressionally mandated ceiling of $140 million for up to 20 F-22.

But Wynne, a committed supporter of the F-22, said he did not think the decision reflected either what Congress wanted or what the the defense secretary wanted. “To some this responds to what the SecDef said, but reflects neither his nor Congress’ intent,” he said.

Before spending the new advance procurement money, the president must certify the country’s need for the new planes, as required in section 134 of the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act.


Article at: http://www.dodbuzz.com/2008/11/12/youngs-oks-more-f-22s/?wh=wh