Fighter Jet News
F-35 Lightning II News
U.S. Senate cuts $1.2 billion off F-35 program in 2007 budget
September 10, 2006 (by
Stefaan Vanhastel) -
The U.S. Senate approved a $469.7 billion military appropriations bill for 2007, cutting $2 billion from 11 major weapons programs, including a $1.2 billion cut for the F-35 program. According to the Senate, the F-35 needs another year of testing and development before they will approve spending for production.
Besides cutting $2 billion from 11 major programs, the Senate also added $65.5 billion for wartime expenses, $14.9 billion more than requested by the White House.
Among the 11 programs affected by the cuts are:
In June, a $427.6 billion Defense Appropriations Act was passed by the House. Senate and House now need to compromise on the difference. Both the House and the Senate propse cuts, although the House only proposes a $312m cut.
The Senate's $1.2 billion cut covers production of five planes in 2007 and parts for an additional 16 planes to be built in 2008-09.
The House's $312m reduction cuts one of the five 2007 planes and limits funding for the 2008-2009 batch to 8 planes.
The X-35B's STOVL capability allows the aircraft to take-off and land with minimal or no runway space. [unknown photographer]
Among the 11 programs affected by the cuts are:
- Light Utility Helicopter
- H-1 upgrades
- Presidential helicopter
- Transformational Communications Satellite
- Space Radar
- KC-130J (2 aircraft cut)
- Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter
In June, a $427.6 billion Defense Appropriations Act was passed by the House. Senate and House now need to compromise on the difference. Both the House and the Senate propse cuts, although the House only proposes a $312m cut.
The Senate's $1.2 billion cut covers production of five planes in 2007 and parts for an additional 16 planes to be built in 2008-09.
The House's $312m reduction cuts one of the five 2007 planes and limits funding for the 2008-2009 batch to 8 planes.