In the 2007 defense spending bill, just signed into law by President Bush, Congress approved the Air Force’s controversial multiyear procurement plan for the F-22A Raptor. According to the conference report, House and Senate appropriators agreed to an MYP for 60 aircraft, beginning with 20 in Fiscal 2007 and followed by 20 each in 2008 and 2009. They also stated that they “expect the Department of the Air Force will continue to seek improved efficiencies in this program.” The Air Force believes the MYP will save money, considering the overall reduced buy of the new stealth fighters, but, more importantly, would extend the fifth-generation production line should there be a delay with the F-35.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.