JOBS: F-22 Procurement
July 19, 2006
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With critical support from the IAM, the Senate recently approved an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill that provided a three-year procurement for the F-22. The multi-year procurement reinstates the Air Force’s plan to buy 60 F-22A Raptor fighter jets and ensures the jobs of thousands of manufacturing workers.
Machinists in Marietta, GA and Ft. Worth, TX build the F-22 Raptor. The Raptor’s unique combination of stealth, speed, agility, situational awareness, air-to-ground and air-to-air combat capabilities make it unlike any other military aircraft in the world.
The continued procurement of the F-22 is imperative to maintain production of the only operational advanced 5th generation tactical aircraft to meet national defense requirements in an uncertain world. The multi-year procurement strategy:
· Extends F-22 production through 2010 (keeping assembly lines open through 2011).
· Mitigates the cost impacts associated with an annual buy.
· Retains 5th generation tactical aircraft procurement options to counter growing proliferation of advanced 4th generation fighter threats and advanced SAMs.
· Benefits the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program by helping reduce supplier overhead rates and retaining technical expertise across the tactical stealth aircraft industrial base.
