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USAF secretary warns that JSF cuts could imperil national security
By Caitlin Harrington
24 September 2007
US Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne warned against cutting back production of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in a speech on 19 September, saying that any reductions in the stealthy fighter force could embolden potential adversaries and damage coalition ties.
Wynne said that the US can ensure it maintains air dominance by sticking with a nearly USD300 billion plan to buy more than 2,400 F-35 fighters.
"I need the JSF to come along," said Wynne during at a 19 September briefing sponsored by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA), a Washington-based think tank.
Wynne directly linked the need for the F-35 to the potential threat posed by China. He rejected a new CSBA study that suggests cutting back the JSF order and investing in a long-range bomber to penetrate deep into enemy airspace.
"The last time I [traded stealth fighters for a long-range bomber], I bought 21 B-2s," said Wynne, referring to the small US force of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. "How big do you think China is? Think about that."