pv04+@andrew.cmu.edu (Philip Verdieck) (04/22/89)
From: Philip Verdieck <pv04+@andrew.cmu.edu> I finished reading a recent issue of AM&ST yesterday. In it were mentions of Bush's seriousness to cut the budget, and freezing of military spending. (Or rather slow growth). Air Force: Right now they are working on getting F-15Es. They want ~36 each year. This might get cut down. They want ~100 F-16's next year. This has been cut down. A side effect of this is that the National Guard units will have to keep using old A-7's for a while longer. Taking flak is the Phoenix program: $1 mill. missiles are stupid.. Also arguments over upgrading ICBMs vs. Bombers. B-2 seen in danger, given the B-1 programs results. The B-2 seen in the press photo has not stirred from the hanger in the picture background. Some people in the B-2 organization favor hurrying up the flight controls so it will be operational to fly over the fence to Edwards. Reason: at least it will have flown, making it less likely for budget cutbacks.. Navy: Much less ship construction. Possible way to save money is retire some of the early, less-efficient subs (Trident I's???) so that money can be allocated elsewhere. Also- some Congressmen favor cutting carrier fleet down to 13. F-14s: Navy will continue to get F-14A pluses. I don't recall about the F-14D's. The navy is waiting to get E-6's. I think a prototype E-6 crashed a little while ago. Marines: Will continue to get AV-8B's. In danger is V-22 Osprey program. Congress doesn't like a ~20 million transport that only carries ~24 people... First V-22 test conducted. It went up, hovered then down.... Army: LHX program (light attack/recon chopper) in danger. There is a lot more available. I suggest looking for it in the library I think it was the March 20 or 27 issue.