Nellis may house more F-22s as result of Republican-led budget deal

Monday, Sept. 20, 1999 | 11:33 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

ATLANTA -- Lockheed's controversial F-22 Raptor fighter plane, given up for dead in recent months, has found new budgetary life.

But before Lockheed officials in suburban Atlanta let out a big sigh of relief, they want to know how many of the supersonic, radar-evading planes Congress plans to buy. The F-22 is assembled at the Lockheed Martin plant in Marietta, Ga. They are scheduled to be housed at Nellis Air Force Base.

"We're looking for (Congress) to restore the full funding" of the F-22 project, Lockheed spokesman Greg Caires said Sunday.

In a deal worked out by House and Senate Republicans last week, an "unspecified number" of F-22s would be bought next year. The original $1.8 billion package included six planes and materials for 10 more fighters. Aides speaking on condition of anonymity said that the deal would restore much, if not all, of the $1.8 billion.

Three facilities at a cost of $18.6 million are being built for the F-22 at Nellis. That money was never in jeopardy. Nellis is scheduled to house the Raptors as early as 2002, adding about 360 people to the base.

Last week's deal represents a dramatic turnaround for the F-22. Just two months ago, the House voted to cut the $1.8 billion order amid complaints of cost overruns and critics who say the jet fighter is too expensive and no longer needed now that the Cold War is over.

U.S. Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., whose district includes Lockheed's Marietta plant, hailed the news.

"This agreement is the direct result of a concerted effort by the F-22 team to make everyone in Congress aware of how critical the aircraft is if America wants to dominate 21st century skies," Barr said Sunday.

Barr said he would work to see that enough planes are included in the budget "to keep the per-unit cost affordable."

The F-22, a next-generation stealth fighter, is designed with an angular shape and special paint to help it evade enemy radar. It also boasts increased maneuverability and the ability to fly at supersonic speeds with better fuel efficiency.

The jet's funding was cut by the House and approved by the Senate, leaving the issue to be resolved by a joint conference committee. Last week, the committee agreed to purchase fighters from Lockheed, though the number of planes has not been agreed upon.