[aviatorsneah]

I love airplanes as much as anyone one this forum, but the F-22 is looks like a boondoggle to me. They cost $351 million dollars each, have poor ground attack capability, haven't yet been used in battle even though they've been operational since 2007, and, most important, the Pentagon doesn't want any more (they want the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter). The only reason the F-22 is still in production is because of Congressional pork barrel spending which saddles the Air Force with more of the damned things. This is nothing but defense contractor welfare for Lockheed-Martin/Boeing.

Think how many UAVs or JDAMs - proven terrorist killers in Iraq and Afghanistan - or state of the art suits of body armor for our troops $351 million could buy! If you live in the U.S., I urge you to call your Congresscritters to tell them to cut off funding for the F-22, and roll it over to the JSF or to cover the cost of ongoing operations in Iraq or Afghanistan. Don't be put off just because it's Barney Frank (annoying liberal) leading the charge, this is a good government issue that should transcend political boundaries.

I know this topic should go on Spray and Pray, but it just burns me up that lobbyists are deciding U.S. defense procurement policy instead of the military.

agreed.

I hope Obama will not limit the production of these great fighters

why not? they arent doing a thing but wasting money. given the current economic climate i would hope mr. O would end stuff like the F-22. they are impractical weapons for a new kind of battlefield. just cuz its "cool" doesnt mean it needs to stick around. all the F22 is right now is an experimental showpiece of advanced technology. eyecandy for the whole world to get scared over. it hasn't even been in combat. the only thing theyve proven is they can earn a buck at airshows and recruit more people into the air force by saying "hey look at this thing! you can fly it too!" youd think that if it was so groundbreaking and practical it wouldve been rushed into combat in Iraq and Afghanistan by now. It hasnt because they know it can't do the job in that kind of war. The cheaper, time-tested aircraft are doing that...and they are doing it well.

I'd choose an A-10 over a Raptor any day of the week... :wink: