Department Of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000 Hon. Adam Smith of Washington July 22, 1999 |
| Mr. Chairman, air power is critical for how we fight
wars and respond to international incidents. Americans place an immeasurable
value on life, and in war. Mr. Speaker, air dominance saves lives. Sweeping
the skies clean of enemy air craft is essential for protecting our most
vulnerable troops on the ground, and the pilots who fly follow-on strike
missions. Air dominance cannot be guaranteed with aircraft on par with
the enemy--it can only be achieved with superior capabilities. Mr. Speaker,
the F-22 is the American guarantor of air supremacy.
In scenarios where the United States need to respond to a rogue nation or terrorist group with a punitive strike, advanced fighters can deliver the message with precision. This is an important factor in lowering collateral damage and limiting the number of allied lives put at risk. As in Kosovo and the Gulf War, I believe air power will continue to be the primary player in how the United States responds to conflict. Mr. Chairman, we cannot cut funding for F-22 procurement. Tactical fighters take 15 years to research, develop, and mature. If we want to maintain our air dominance in the future, say in the year 2010, we need to develop and test these air dominance fighters today. Currently, no other tactical air program combines the breakthrough technologies of integrated avionics, supercruise, thrust vectoring engines, and stealth into one aircraft. With the world-wide proliferation of SAMs, our pilots must take advantage of the F-22's supercruise, speed and stealth to complete their mission and return home safely. By investing in leap-ahead technologies, we can save the lives of our future war fighters; we cannot invest in yesteryear technology. The F-22 is our top fighter program, no near term or long term substitute exists. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support full funding of the F-22 program. |
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