According to Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) Defense Secretary Robert Gates “has certified” that the F-22A multiyear contract that Congress authorized last year “meets all requirements of the law and will result in a savings to American taxpayers of $41l million.” Chambliss issued a statement Friday following release of the Rand Corp. review of the Raptor MYP (see above). Chambliss was a key supporter of the Air Force MYP plan for the new fighter, which Lockheed Martin produces at its Marietta, Ga., plant. Chambliss calls validation of the MYP a “huge victory” for DOD, the Air Force and the taxpayers.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
