... my opinions in the matter are less than substantial.
I would disagree with you. I think your comments are well though out and opinions as valid as anyone else's, as no one knows what is coming down the track. It is all speculation. That said, I think the F-22 program, at the end of the day, will encompass the birds already delivered and those in the immediate delivery pipeline. To be sure, the AF has structured procurements for maximum output should the program be halted/cancelled. JSF different animal. Apealing because, like the F-111, it is an advanced aircraft that all services will use eliminating a lot of duplication.
The USS Intrepid also comes to mind, a single flattop to meet all Navy requirements.:tongue2_1
What I do think I know is the mindset of the OTT. Maximum savings in short order. What I do know is that it takes a long time to save $$ by eliminating on-going programs. Years past, an incoming team decided to cut my agency by 25%, saving, by their figures, 1/4 of the annual cost or about $10 millions in round numbers. At their request I had the budget folks run the numbers and the costs for the first year exceeded any savings, second year a bit of savings but nothing near their expectations. After accounting for serverance pay, unemployment compensation to be paid to local Government, termination liability on contracts, cancelled leases on equipment, space and automobiles. We ended up with a more modest agency cut, a significant increase the following year and the year thereafter.
Having said all that you know as much as the rest of us on what will happen. It will be a great parlour guessing game for the next few months, however.
