F-22 Op-Ed in the Washington Times

[Calson Aires]

The Washington Times decided to publish an Op-Ed, "Hill Battle for the F-22." It discusses the ongoing Congressional battle over a controversial jet fighter. The article is available online at this address:

Hill battle for the F-22 - Washington Times

[F-15 Eagle]

As usual the White House and Robert Gates are being incompetent by threatening to vote the defense bill if it contains funding for more F-22s or an alternate engine for the F-35. They ignore the needs of the air force and make budget cuts based solely on trimming the budget. It is unwise to put all their eggs in one basket such as only funding the F-35 and not the F-22. The F-35 is still unproven and not in service for at least 3 more years. The F-22 is proven and is in service now so why the government funds the F-35 and not the F-22 is beyond me.

[localhost127]

hmm, i wonder who is paying the author to write this one?

a few quotes:

But Mr. Gates is woefully wrong about the F-22. The United States needs a fifth generation air superiority fighter capable of deterring conflict and defeating enemies, now and several decades into the future.

Existing fourth generation fighters from China and Russia can already challenge our legacy platforms. Their fifth generation aircraft will be even more formidable

Mobile SAM systems capable of engaging units hundreds of kilometers away will threaten our freedom of action.

As evidenced in the recent war in Georgia, Russian S-400 SAM batteries could have denied access to every U.S. platform but the F-22.

Mr. Gates should heed the analysis of numerous Department of Defense and nondepartmental experts, whose reports have outlined the realistic requirements of continued air superiority

Head of the Air Combat Command Gen. John Corley stated, "a fleet of 187 F-22s puts execution of our current national military strategy at a high risk in the near- to midterm." The long-term outlook may be even more perilous.

Neither the F-35 nor future unmanned fighters can ensure U.S. air superiority over the next 15 years. For this reason, the F-22 is crucial. Congress must act to save it.

i doubt the experts here will want to waste their time discussing this one again

[Firn]

Sadly the quality of the Washington Post seems to have decreased considerably in the last years. Sometimes it sounds like it is a mouthpiece of certain interests, as in this Op-Ed. It is plain old fear mongering with preciously little and poor arguments.

[sunshin3]

Originally Posted by Firn

Sadly the quality of the Washington Post seems to have decreased considerably in the last years. Sometimes it sounds like it is a mouthpiece of certain interests, as in this Op-Ed. It is plain old fear mongering with preciously little and poor arguments.

Seems to be a purely US centric political discussion. Not sure if it is within the usual DT discussion confines.