Lockheed accepts Pentagon’s decision to cut F-22.
Lockheed accepts Pentagon’s decision to cut F-22.
Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed his intention to end production of the F-22 fighter jet, an expensive weapons system that has not flown a single mission in either the Iraq or Afghanistan wars. The defense contractor Lockheed Martin had been pouring money into a “publicity campaign” and engaging in “congressional lobbying efforts” to maintain funding for the F-22. But, it appears Lockheed is now conceding that the days of the F-22 are numbered:
[Lockheed Chief Financial Officer Bruce] Tanner said Lockheed tried to fight for continuation of the F-22 program, but indicated the company had all but given up.
“We’ve had our chance to lobby this matter, we think we’ve had a full hearing of that discussion and we’re disappointed by the decisions, but we’ll accept those and go on,” he said.
Lockheed anticipates that many of the jobs associated with the F-22 production will now be channeled into the production of the the cargo plane C-130J program. While Lockheed is backing down, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) “said he wasn’t giving up continuing the program just yet but acknowledged the program’s future doesn’t look bright.”
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Chambliss is going to keep fighting for his favorite pork barrel programs. What does John McCain have to say about it.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:23 pm“We’ve had our chance to lobby this matter, we think we’ve had a full hearing of that discussion and we’re disappointed by the decisions, but we’ll accept those and go on,” he said.
Does he think it was up to Lockheed?
April 21st, 2009 at 10:26 pmJust out of curiosity, was this a cost-plus contract? And, if so, will they be trying to recoup their lobbying expenses from taxpayers? I hope not. On both counts.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:27 pmAnd how much money did they waste “pouring money into a publicity campaign” and paying lobbyists? Jeez!
April 21st, 2009 at 10:28 pmHow happy am I that Obama’s name didn’t even come up in this story?
Prretty happy.
But then again, I’m pretty drunk.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:28 pm“But then again, I’m pretty drunk.”
ElBruce, have you been hanging out with barfly? ;)
April 21st, 2009 at 10:30 pmSorry I’m OT but I just had to share. Guess where Judge Bybee went top college and got his law degree, Brigham Young. Priceless.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:31 pmHow noble of them.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:33 pmGive it up Chambliss. These rethuglicans refuse to stop fighting battles they’ve already lost.
ElBruce Says:
April 21st, 2009 at 10:36 pmHey – I’m trying to catch up to you (:
Cheers folks!
Well it’s a piece of crap product anyways, plagued with crashes, failures, and delays.
Plus the future nowadays is in UAVs….why have a stealth fighter, when you can have several hundred UAVs flying at high altitude and loitering for hours and hours. Plus no body cares if they get shot down.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:40 pmIs out TP barfly the same famous barfly that does the bar reviews around Portland OR? If so, give me an hour to get there and we’ll tandem you by WiFi.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:42 pmI live in GA. Chambliss (and Isakson) are scum, in all CAPS, and these fools here keep re-electing tools them in spite of being presented with evidence that they don’t represent the citizens of GA, only themselves.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:43 pmTanner said potential job losses at Marietta, which employs about 2,000 workers, could be reduced by shifting workers to other aircraft projects at the plant, including the C-130J cargo plane. Some work on the F-35, now done primarily at Lockheed’s Fort Worth, Texas, factory, also could be shifted to Georgia.
With the ‘acceleration’ of the F-35 program (from 14 to 30 in 2010) those Lockheed jobs may just shift – from Texas to Georgia?
Hmm, perhaps Gates got word of that secessionist talk.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:43 pmYou have no idea how jealous I am right now!
April 21st, 2009 at 10:44 pmElBruce Says:
But then again, I’m pretty drunk.
Well sir, considering the dead on comments you made on the gay marriage thread, I’d say you function pretty well while drunk. Have another…
April 21st, 2009 at 10:56 pmOne of the claims that was made was that thousands of jobs would be lost. That doesn’t appear to be the case here. Still, it would be better for the Country if we didn’t have to depend on the Military-Industrial Complex for all those jobs (Ike was right).
April 21st, 2009 at 10:56 pmElBruce, I gotta know. What’s on the wine list tonight? ^^
April 21st, 2009 at 11:00 pmOh No! How ever will we sneak-up on the Iranians?
April 21st, 2009 at 11:00 pmNot sure that we could’ve anyways >.> we’ve basically got them surrounded right now.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:03 pmladybastet Says:
ElBruce, I gotta know. What’s on the wine list tonight? ^^
Although I’m usually a red wine guy, Portland is being uncharasterically sunny; thus, tonight is all about Inversion IPA. One of the great things about living in Portland is all the really good beers come from here (ditto American Pinot Noir’s to be fair, but those are somewhat more pricey).
April 21st, 2009 at 11:11 pm=O I’ve never had that before! hmm.. It might be a tad too strong for me >.< then again I tend to like sweet and fruity drinks usually. Is it any good? ^_^
April 21st, 2009 at 11:35 pmladybastet Says:
Is it any good? ^_^
If you like hops in your hops, with some hops on the side. I recommend Thai food with that. Speaking of which, they’re at the door; I’ll be back in a bit. ;)
April 21st, 2009 at 11:44 pmslippery Says:
Try scrolling down a few threads, where we’re all disgusted with Harman.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:59 pmoutstanding job of sweeping the harmon/feinstein scandals neatly under the carpet….
we’ve got some troll desperation here!
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:04 amGoddess Bastet, it’s either desperation, or slimey, er, slippery’s too lazy to check all of today’s threads. Or maybe he read our comments on Harman and was struck with hysterical blindness ’cause we won’t support a corrupt Democrat. That’s unthinkable to a Repub!
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:12 amslippery Says:
outstanding job of sweeping the harmon/feinstein scandals neatly under the carpet….
Harman is here and here.
Feinstein is here.
Wingnut desperation tactic #112: go into a thread about a topic you aren’t concerned with and then whine that it’s not about a topic that you are (supposedly) concerned with, instead of merely navigating to the correct topic.
Plan: help to create the illusion that the “left wing website” ignores critical issues of the day.
Thanks for playing, slip. Good luck next time.
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:14 amGoddess Bastet, it’s either desperation, or slimey, er, slippery’s too lazy to check all of today’s threads. Or maybe he read our comments on Harman and was struck with hysterical blindness ’cause we won’t support a corrupt Democrat. That’s unthinkable to a Repub!
*NOD* Unlike them we will speak up against that which we find reprehensible. They on the other hand… “oh it was just a splash of harmless water” “oh so it scared them a little it’s not like it happened all that often” “Ok… so it happened 183 times, but seriously do we really want to talk about all that? it’s helpful to the enemy and in the end isn’t the war on terror more important than such trivial things as morals?”
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:16 amslippery Says:
Trying to change the subject TROLL? No one is sweeping. Look at the relevant thread. We are not brainwashed zombies like the rightwing. We criticize our own. Your projection is transparent
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:21 amBack to the topic:
We’ve had our chance to lobby this matter, we think we’ve had a full hearing of that discussion and we’re disappointed by the decisions, but we’ll accept those and go on,” he said.
Pretty reasonable statement from a military-industrial complex drone.
Q: What does a post M-I-C America look like? How do we get there? What are our chances?
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:29 amShoulda given it to Boeing in the first place, instead of letting Lockheed cock it up.
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:34 am12 posts down on the same day…. lol! 30 – 40 posts……not 900 like there would be if said crooks had an ‘R’ after their name…..
god you are desperate! or bored =P DID YOU NOT SEE THAT YOU’VE GOT THE WRONG DAMN THREAD???
check num 27 dumbass!
If you went down 30 posts surely you saw it! HELL, IT WAS DIRECTED AT YOU! You’re pathetic.
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:16 amAnyone that’s playing troll has no place lecturing me on comprehension! Someone like you who has literally no life and nothing better to do with their time!
As to your smartass link idea I’ve noticed you aren’t exactly perfect. You typed “there would be if said crooks had an ‘R’ after”. Seem like that’s missing something to you? perhaps?
Moreover, what the hell do you care what we talk about? You contribute NOTHING to the conversation. You never offer so much as something thought provoking or interesting! You’re a waste of time and nothing more. Go back to drudge where you belong with all the other worthless liars who love to fantasize about paranoid conspiracy theories and pretend that you’re making some sore of ‘come back’ in the upcoming midterm. Go back and worship at the altar of FOX News so you can join your friends at those pathetic tea parties, or better yet why don’t you let that car run after you close the garage door!
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:35 amslippery Says: 32
For the convienience of those who are not fluent in wingnutese let me translate
WWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. My GOD you are pathetic
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:36 amslippery Says: 35
More WWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHH why wont TP do things MY way WWWWWAWAAAHHHHHHHHH, I want them to concentrate on what I want highlighted WWWWWWWAAAAAHHHHHHHH
Get some self respect punk. You are just beyond pathetic. If you dont LIKE this site go start your own and tell us where it is so we can drop by and tell YOU how to run it. A six year old girly girl would be embarassed to snivel half as much as you
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:38 amEugene atrax robustus Debs, was 36 too harsh? Should I feel bad about that one? Honestly, I don’t, but should I?
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:38 amslippery Says:
Since you have comprehension problems, I’ll draw you a map. tp went out of their way to dig up 12 non-stories to wipe the feinstein/harmon scandals from the top.
Oh, let me draw you a map. On your computer keyboard (that’s the flat typewriter in front of your ugly face), there’s a key that says either “PgDn” or “Page Down.” If you can’t find it, ask for help. If you mash that key repeatedly, it allows you to scroll rapidly down a web page to reach links that might otherwise appear off the bottom of your screen. There you will find the news items to which you are referring.
Alternately, you could seek a news source more in tune with your priorities.
Finally, if you pull out the plug that connects your computer to the wall, the “DVD tray” will pop out and give you a delicious cookie!
PALIN / WURZELBACHER 2012! WOO!!!
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:39 amladybastet Says: 39
Nah I thought you were holding it in. Trollstabbing is a moral imperative and snivellingslipper is 100% pure troll.
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:40 amSlippery thinks TP can tell the visitors what to comment on. I guess they think we’re paid like the RNC pays trolls.
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:42 amladybastet, I thought you were too nice to him! :)
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:44 amSlippery, we’re fascinated that Republicans never consider their waste of money pork. IOKYAR right?
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:45 amOkies, I’ll try harder. *nod*
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:47 amladybastet Says:
I thought it was pretty good. You ARE a Lady after all.
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:00 am::beams::
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:14 amDid Lockheed have any choice but to accept it? Yeesh…
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:46 amslippery Says:
——————————————————————————–
12 posts down on the same day…. lol! 30 – 40 posts……not 900 like there would be if said crooks had an ‘R’ after their name…..
——–
So sorry about your panties.
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:16 amFirst, UAV aren’t the answer. It takes about a half second for a transmission to go up the link and a half to get back down. And if the fight is half way around the world, then you talking a few more bounces between satellites and ground stations before the pilot and aircraft link up. That means there’s a few seconds delay between when the pilot moves the stick left and the aircraft responds. And of course, the video is delayed as well. While the F-22 is a highly sophisticated piece of military hardware, its’ too much buck for the bang. The technology could be introduced to other airframes currently in service. Also, we don’t have an aircraft industry anymore so DoD needs to be more demanding in getting the aircraft they need at a price that is reasonable for the taxpayer to swallow.
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:14 amslippery Says:
Since you have comprehension problems, I’ll draw you a map. tp went out of their way to dig up 12 non-stories to wipe the feinstein/harmon scandals from the top. Since there is no “war on terror” who cares about f-22’s? The most recent example….
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 am
______________
Prove it.
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:13 amI think all Air Forces should be limited to using only hang gliders.
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 amLockheed lets Pentagon decide what the Pentagon needs. Amazing…if we could only get the banksters to ‘let’ the Congress apply fraud charges against the banksters.
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 amI will consent to letting the pilots use night vision goggles.
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 amGood,
Next on the list should be the V-22 Osprey.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:07 amA lobbying campagin to keep the F-22? Um, your funding has been cut, get it? Time to go home.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:17 amNot nearly as much as we wasted in building a weapon to fight a non-existant enemy.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:24 amYou mean the scandal about the Bush administration wiretapping Democrats? How many other Democrats do you figure the Bush administration was wiretapping? I figure ALL OF THEM.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:30 amThere are much better fighterw at a better cost.
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:32 pm“We’ve had our chance to lobby this matter, we think we’ve had a full hearing of that discussion and we’re disappointed by the decisions, but we’ll accept those and go on,” he said . . . Does he think it was up to Lockheed?
They expected to get their two bits in, of course. Can’t buy a vote in Washington for only two bits.
As defense contractor spin goes, this isn’t even spin. It is almost unnaturally reasonable. The Orbital Mind Control Lasers must have popped a breaker just before he spoke.
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:49 pmWhile the F-22 is a highly sophisticated piece of military hardware, its’ too much buck for the bang. The technology could be introduced to other airframes currently in service. Also, we don’t have an aircraft industry anymore so DoD needs to be more demanding in getting the aircraft they need at a price that is reasonable for the taxpayer to swallow.
And one we can afford to lose. One flock of geese could wipe out a full one percent of Americas fighter strength if we depended on these monstrosities.
Back in 1939, when we suddenly needed to get ready for a world war, our aircraft industry invented and began building four of the finest prop-driven fighters ever to fly in three years time: the Thunderbolt, the Lightning, the Hellcat, the Corsair, with the Mustang coming along a year later after they bummed a good engine from Rolls Royce. They were better than anything else in the air and we could afford to build a lot of them to make up for inevitable combat losses.
These F-22 flying battleships are too expensive to use. We should put out an call for competitive bids and get something we can win battles with and still afford to have a thousand or so packed in grease as replacements if an “quarentine zone” mission drags on a few years.
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm