The US Air Force and the F-22/Future Canadian fighter

Imagine a serving Canadian flag officer speaking like this--a comment by CougarDaddy at a Milnet.ca Raptor topic thread:

Hopefully it won't stop at just 12 more Raptors.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/06/senate-panel-votes-for-more-stealth-jets-defying-gates/

Senate Panel Votes for More Stealth Jets, Defying Gates

By Noah Shachtman June 25, 2009 | 3:36 pm | Categories: Air Force, Paper Pushers, Beltway Bandits, Politicians

The White House and the Pentagon leadership couldn’t be clearer: they don’t want any more of the controversial F-22 stealth fighters. But Congress now seems ready to pour billions into extra jets, anyway. The Senate Armed Services Committee just “voted to fully fund seven F-22 Raptors for $1.75 billion,” Air Force Times is reporting.

Last Week, the House Armed Services Committee voted to add 12 of the planes to the upcoming Pentagon budget. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he had a “big problem” with the move — a cornerstone of his plan to radically overhaul the U.S. arsenal. The White House went even further: “If the final bill presented to the president contains this provision, the president’s senior advisers would recommend a veto,” the Office of Management and Budget proclaimed.

The Raptors, originally commissioned to duel with Soviet MiGs, have never been used in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Air Force’s leadership says they can make due with 187 of the planes - to deter threats from countries like Russia and China, and fight off their advanced air defense gear.

But their subordinates have disagreed — loudly and publicly. In a letter to Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia), four-star Gen. John Corley, the current chief of Air Combat Command, wrote, “In my opinion, a fleet of 187 F-22s puts execution of our current national military strategy at high risk in the near to mid term… To my knowledge, there are no studies that demonstrate that 187 F-22s are adequate to support our national military strategy.”

Another view on the need for F-22s vs. UCAVs here, with a Raptor video; and a pro-Raptor view here, also with video.

Meanwhile, regarding the future Canadian fighter:

Deciding on the F-35 soon?