U.S. government may cancel its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program

[Lankan Ranger]

U.S. government may cancel its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program

U.S. government is threatening to cancel its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program unless Congress approves a credible deficit reduction plan.

U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta includes the F-35 program in a detailed list of items that could be on the chopping block should a so-called “super committee” fail to deliver on a plan to find $1.2-trillion-in savings over the next 10 years.

The bi-partisan committee – officially called the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (JSCDR) – must reach a deal by next Wednesday. Should they fail, across the board cuts to government spending, described as “sequestration,” would kick in almost immediately.

In letters to Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, Mr. Panetta outlines what these cuts could look like.

“If the JSCDR fails to meet its targets and sequestration is triggered, [Department of Defence] would face huge cuts in its budgets,” Mr. Panetta writes in a letter dated Nov. 14.

“Decisions related to major programs could include: Terminate Joint Strike Fighter; minimal life extensions and upgrades to existing forces,” the letter states, describing this measure as a potential savings of $80-billion U.S.

The likelihood of this scenario is unclear at the moment. Mr. Panetta’s letter is clearly an attempt to pressure the committee to avoid these cuts by approving a plan in advance of the deadline. Commentary in the United States suggests there is a high degree of uncertainty as to the odds the committee of Senators and members of the House of Representatives will come up with a plan.

Washington could scrap its F-35 jet purchase - The Globe and Mail

 

[Alchemy]

Oops first they cancelled F-22 for obvious reasons and supported F-35 now planning to cancel F-35 !!!

So what next ? replace them with sea harriers , F-15s and F-16s ??? and may be some tomcats too???

 

[Edevelop]

Maybe Pakistan should sell JF-17 its the world's cheapest fighter jet really.

 

[Lankan Ranger]

US Budget Cuts May Kill Lockheed’s F-35 Jet

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham that defense budget cuts of as much as $1 trillion may lead to the termination of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 jet.

In a letter today to the two Republican lawmakers, Panetta said reductions beyond the $450 billion, 10-year defense budget cuts already planned would reduce the “size of the military sharply.”

If a special committee of lawmakers fails to reach agreement on U.S. deficit reduction, that would trigger a so- called sequestration. That would involve at least another $500 billion in defense cuts over a decade and reduce Pentagon programs in 2013 by 23 percent if the president exercises his authority to exempt military personnel, Panetta said.

Panetta said such funding reductions might lead to termination of major programs such as Lockheed’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, major space initiatives, silo-based U.S. nuclear missiles and ground combat vehicle modernization.

Nov. 23 Deadline

A congressional supercommittee, seeking at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reductions, has until Nov. 23 to get an agreement. If Congress fails to approve the panel’s plan, federal spending would be cut automatically, including about $500 billion from the Defense Department.

Panetta Says Budget Cuts May Kill Lockheed’s F-35 Jet - Businessweek

 

[golmaal]

US Budget Cuts May Kill Lockheed’s F-35 Jet

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham that defense budget cuts of as much as $1 trillion may lead to the termination of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 jet.

In a letter today to the two Republican lawmakers, Panetta said reductions beyond the $450 billion, 10-year defense budget cuts already planned would reduce the “size of the military sharply.”

If a special committee of lawmakers fails to reach agreement on U.S. deficit reduction, that would trigger a so- called sequestration. That would involve at least another $500 billion in defense cuts over a decade and reduce Pentagon programs in 2013 by 23 percent if the president exercises his authority to exempt military personnel, Panetta said.

Panetta said such funding reductions might lead to termination of major programs such as Lockheed’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, major space initiatives, silo-based U.S. nuclear missiles and ground combat vehicle modernization.

Nov. 23 Deadline

A congressional supercommittee, seeking at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reductions, has until Nov. 23 to get an agreement. If Congress fails to approve the panel’s plan, federal spending would be cut automatically, including about $500 billion from the Defense Department.

Panetta Says Budget Cuts May Kill Lockheed’s F-35 Jet - Businessweek

I think now they are directly going with 6th Gen fighters instead of 5th gen..

 

[Bharthi]

JSF program is very much ON.But the US procurement of F-35 will be may be less because of the budget cuts.

 

[xhw1986]

U.S should buy PAK-FA and J-20 its cheaper.

 

[luckyyy]

come on , US is buying old harriers from UK to train their pilots to fly F-35..

 

[T90TankGuy]

wonder what Ajay shukla would say to this . he was after all advocating we buy it for the mmrca.

 

[PERSIAN GOD KING]

They should buy Iranians f-5s.

 

[regular]

US Budget Cuts May Kill Lockheed’s F-35 Jet

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham that defense budget cuts of as much as $1 trillion may lead to the termination of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 jet.

In a letter today to the two Republican lawmakers, Panetta said reductions beyond the $450 billion, 10-year defense budget cuts already planned would reduce the “size of the military sharply.”

If a special committee of lawmakers fails to reach agreement on U.S. deficit reduction, that would trigger a so- called sequestration. That would involve at least another $500 billion in defense cuts over a decade and reduce Pentagon programs in 2013 by 23 percent if the president exercises his authority to exempt military personnel, Panetta said.

Panetta said such funding reductions might lead to termination of major programs such as Lockheed’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, major space initiatives, silo-based U.S. nuclear missiles and ground combat vehicle modernization.

Nov. 23 Deadline

A congressional supercommittee, seeking at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reductions, has until Nov. 23 to get an agreement. If Congress fails to approve the panel’s plan, federal spending would be cut automatically, including about $500 billion from the Defense Department.

Panetta Says Budget Cuts May Kill Lockheed’s F-35 Jet - Businessweek

This means that the USA's world supremacy is going to end very soon alongwith their F-35 programme ...Insha-Allah.....

 

[Archie]

I dont think , They US would scrap F35 all together coz it would screw up the Modernization drive of Nato since F35 is meant to Replace some 3000 F-16s , 380 F/A18s and 300 Tornados currently operated by US and Nato
what however could happen is that US might cut the Number of Jets it would acquire

Even I have heard that USAF could Cut the Number of F35A it buys from 1740 to 1340 , while US Navy will Buy 340 F 35C , while US Marine corp will Induct 150 F35C instead of planned 340 F35B
This initiative itself could save 80 Billion USD of American Taxpayer Money , If US reduces the Number of F35 it buys by 600 Units
I think this is what Pannetta Meant

 

[somebozo]

Outsource the F-35 to China..

 

[regular]

Outsource the F-35 to China..

Yes! absolutely this is the only viable/feasible option left for US to survive within the worlds game...they gotta depend on China now.....

 

[anon45]

They won't, and Mr. Panetta knows they won't.