FLYING WISH LIST

The U.S. Air Force will be making critical choices in the next few months as planners try to fit a growing desire for new weapon systems into the Fiscal 2006 budget request.

In addition to their renewed interest in the FB-22 (a bomber-derivative of the F/A-22 fighter) and the F-35B Stovl (short-takeoff and vertical-landing) version of the Joint Strike Fighter, U.S. Air Force leaders want to find money in the next few years for new combat search-and-rescue helicopters, enhancements to A-10 ground-attack aircraft and upgrades to existing fighters.

In laying out their ambitious agenda at a recent Air Force Assn. gathering, the service's top military and civilian representatives showed few concerns that mounting federal budget deficits would curtail long-term military spending. Air Force Secretary James G. Roche argued that the service has to clarify needs, particularly in light of the upcoming presidential elections and next year's Quadrennial Defense Review. Both could inject uncertainty into military planning.

The Stovl F-35B would let the Air Force operate closer to ground forces by opening up air bases that it currently can't use because of short runways and limited ramp space, according to senior USAF advocates of buying the short-takeoff aircraft. Proponents include Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper.

A beaming U.S. Marine Corps commandant, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, later voiced his approval, and probably relief, at the Air Force's interest. If that interest were followed by substantial purchases, they could spread out any cost growth in F-35B development and perhaps even lower unit cost. By contrast, the conventional-takeoff F-35A designed for the Air Force is below its projected weight goals. As a rule, additional weight equates directly to added cost.

"I think it's great," Hagee said. "Obviously, if we purchase more aircraft, the cost is going to go down. Both the Secretary of the Air Force and John Jumper talked with me before that occurred. We obviously support that. If both forces have [the F-35B], it's going to make us much more compatible.

"The Stovl version is going to be important," Hagee said. "Look at what the [AV-8B] Harriers did in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We had five squadrons in the Gulf during major combat operations. They flew 45% of the tactical air sorties that were flown in support of the Marine division. They were able to go into forward arming and refueling points--small spots in the road in the desert--rearm and refuel and go back up and provide close air support to those troops. That allows you to generate a lot more sorties. The Joint Strike Fighter Stovl version is going to give us that capability plus longer legs and stealth."

The idea was floated once before when then-USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Ron Fogleman suggested buying four wings of Stovl JSFs, but it died after his retirement. The initiative comes at a critical time for the Stovl design that has been embattled because added weight could impact performance. It also could ensure continued British commitment to the program. Lockheed Martin officials say that a plan to resolve the weight problem should be finalized in April, about the same time as the critical design review for the F-35A conventional-takeoff and landing version of the fighter.

Decisions on what mix of conventional and Stovl F-35s the Air Force will buy are likely to be made in coming months--soon enough to support the Fiscal 2006 budget process, says Gen. Hal Hornburg, commander of Air Combat Command. The next budget plan goes out to 2011, so the Air Force will likely have to start laying in money for the Stovl aircraft.