Support Builds for Next Gen Fighter
Obama and the GOP may be at odds over the budget, but on one item -- the F-35 fighter -- there is a growing bipartisan consensus to back the project.
America’s in an economic and budgetary crisis and Republicans in the House are being pressured to look more closely at cutting defense spending. On one key program however, funding for the Lockheed F-35 fighter jet, there is a growing bipartisan commitment to see the project receive proper funding. Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ request for an increase in funding for the fighter from $6.8 to $11.2 billion is being backed by Congress as well. FrumForum spoke with defense experts who stressed that the F-35 is a necessary component of America’s future arsenal.
There are three versions of the aircraft. While all F-35s are stealth fighters, the F-35A will be used by the Air Force with a conventional takeoff and landing capability. The F-35B will be used by the Marines with a short takeoff/vertical landing capability. The F-35C will be used by the Navy with catapult launch and arrested recovery capabilities. Presently, there are eight international partners with each one contributing varying amounts to the development phase, the cost of the program, and a commitment to purchase a certain number of the aircraft.
All interviewed believe that the F-35 is necessary for America to maintain its air superiority. This high end stealth aircraft replaces several less effective, aging planes flown by three branches: the Air Force, Navy, and Marines. Richard Myers, a four star Air Force General and former Chief of Staff, explained that the
F-35 will allow the US and our allies to penetrate those defensive environments that have advanced fighter and missile defense systems. This aircraft has the ability to penetrate and deliver weapons on targets in the face of sophisticated enemy defenses. I definitely support this plane.
One of the test pilots for the F-35, David “Doc” Nelson, has flown all three versions. He commented that all have the same combat capability, range distance, and state of the art sensors. What he likes best is the ability to fly invisible to radar with sensors that allow the mission to be completed with accuracy. He described it as
being in a boxing ring with your opponent blind folded. This is the first time we will be able to provide a stealthy platform that can fly off aircraft carriers. We can sit off anybody’s coast and have a threat within arm’s length that they won’t see coming. This plane is well worth its value and is an offer that America cannot refuse.
The one variant that seems to be having some technical problems is the Marine version (F-35B). Dave Majumdar of the Air Force Times reported that Secretary Gates decided to put the Marine Corps version on a two-year probationary period and quoted him as saying that by doing this “we do not slow progress of the conventional (F-35 A) and carrier variant(F-35C).”
A defense expert who spoke with FrumForum praised the plane as the next generation of aircraft. He asserted that it would
enable America to keep its dominance. I am confident that the issues with the Marine version will be solved. This is one of the best aircraft and cannot be cancelled or the Armed Services will be left in a bad way.
Nelson agrees and pointed out that on March 9th he flew the plane and accomplished three vertical take-offs and landings at different speeds without any problems. Furthermore, an official with Lockheed emphasized that in the last ten weeks there have been “fifty successful vertical landings which is a very good indicator that many of the issues dogging the F-35B have been resolved.”
Many of those in Congress believe that some of the F-35’s initial equipment was unnecessary. They point out that in the 1990’s some politicians decided to put in an earmark to develop an extra engine for the plane. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), head of the Armed Forces Caucus, believes that there must be “some serious analysis of the DOD budget from scratch.” This appears to be happening.
Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FLA) authored an amendment, which the House passed last month that stops funding for the F-35 extra engine program. This bi-partisan amendment will save taxpayers $450 million over the next several months and $3 billion in total provided it passes the Senate as well.
Rooney commented to FrumForum that “Although I think this aircraft is a work of art, the extra engine is a luxury our country simply cannot afford. We should be looking at defense spending and cutting those items that are wasteful. This was a no brainer for me.”
With America potentially facing such varied adversaries as China and terrorist groups, a multi-faceted plane is needed. As Congressman Hunter asserted, “The armed services committee must focus on all the threats facing America today. The upshot of this is that it will be expensive.” Yet, the F-35 is well worth it since it will maintain American air dominance for the foreseeable future with its many advances: a more powerful engine, long range distance, and superior stealth ability. As Nelson pointed out: “it handles like a dream.”
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