Schwartz to ask Gates for more F-22s soon

[unhappycamper]

The first of 12 F-22 Raptors lands for a brief layover Feb. 7 at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. The F-22s and more than 250 Airmen from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., are bound for Kadena Air Base, Japan, for the aircaft's first overseas operational deployment.


Schwartz to ask Gates for more F-22s soon
By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Feb 17, 2009 21:15:08 EST

Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz told reporters Tuesday that he will ask Defense Secretary Robert Gates in the next couple of weeks for more F-22 Raptors than the 183 approved by Congress, but he wouldn’t disclose the final number.

Congress set a deadline of March 1 for President Barack Obama’s administration to decide whether to purchase more F-22s beyond the 183 already approved. The Air Force originally requested 381 of the stealth, fifth-generation fighter jets, but that number has dropped.

“It’s less than 381,” Schwartz said.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said in December that he and Schwartz had talked about buying 60 more F-22s, which would bring the total to 243. Schwartz said Tuesday that he “wouldn’t dispute Admiral Mullen’s characterization.”

~snip~

F-22s cost about $150 million apiece and have been scrutinized for not contributing to the irregular wars the U.S. faces in Iraq and Afghanistan. But Air Force generals have said the current buy of 183 F-22s is too small, especially considering that only 100 could be available for combat at one time because of maintenance rates.


Rest of article at: http://airforcetimes.com/news/2009/02/airforce_schwartz_F22_021709w/%2e



uhc comment: $150 million my ass. You fuckers have already pegged the F-22 cost at $355 million a pop; look it up in this forum.