If the F-22A Shoe Fits: Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) puts the blame where it’s due—squarely on the Office of the Secretary of Defense—in describing what he calls “one of the most unusual year-to-year budget changes I think I have ever seen.” Hunter, as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, on Wednesday was decrying the procurement life of the F-22A at the first budget hearing with the Air Force’s top two leaders. Duncan repeatedly referred to “OSD action” in the turbulent and questionable Raptor acquisition saga. Hunter says that last year’s decision to cut F-22A production and this year’s plan to extend the line both will lead to “a billion dollars more in program cost.”
The Air Force needs a high-end aircraft that can operate in contested environments that will work with the service’s new Collaborative Combat Aircraft semi-autonomous drones and other less pricey platforms, the service's officer said March 18. “Instead of going all high-end and then breaking the bank and not being able…