12:34 am - Friday
US House backs presidential helicopter, scraps F-22
Washington, USA - Many military cuts proposed by the Obama administration have been rejected
(WAPA) - Fight in the USA between Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, and congress about next year's military budget goes on. With 400 favourable votes against 30, yesterday the House of Representatives approved an amendment that, as already happened in the Senate, blocks production of F-22 Raptor fighters (see AVIONEWS), but that contains US$636 billion to finance other programmes, including the discussed VH-71 "Kestrel" presidential helicopter produced by Italian AgustaWestland (Finmeccanica group).
The new proposal includes building of new C-17 cargo aircraft (that Gates considers useless) and of an alternative engine for the F-35 Lightning II fighter (blocked by the Senate, see AVIONEWS). Also included further US$128 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and funds to produce nine new F-18 Super Hornet fighters. A president's request for US$100 million to close Guantanamo jail has been rejected.
Although the House is dominated by Democrat representatives, loyal to president Obama, many of them are conditioned by the fact that the closure of these military industry projects would close the loss of several jobs in key States, in which they have been elected. (Avionews)
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Direttore Clara Moschini