BOMBER PROGRAM CHOICES NEAR
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP92B00478R000800340013-3
Release Decision:
RIFPUB
Original Classification:
K
Document Page Count:
5
Document Creation Date:
December 23, 2016
Document Release Date:
December 23, 2013
Sequence Number:
13
Case Number:
Publication Date:
June 1, 1981
Content Type:
OPEN SOURCE
File:
Attachment | Size |
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Body:
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/12/23 : CIA-RDP92B00478R000800340013-3
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Administration must decide on whether to build both B-1
version, Stealth technology aircraft, or only the latter
By Clarence A. Rolainecn,
?. ?
Washingtosee-The Reagan AdMinistratioa
is facing a major decision on whether to
accept an Air Force recommendation and
build two bombers or opt for a single
aircraft based on Stealth technology.
USAF wants first to build a modified
version of the Rockwell International B-1
bomber and then follow- it with an
advanced technology Steal bomber. -
Defense Secretary Caspar W. Wein-
berger expects to decide by June 15 and
recommend to President Ronald Rmgazt a
U. S. bomber aircraft program. That deci-
sion is expected to be followed closely by
another selecting a team of - aerospace
companies to be awarded a contrast to
develop and build a preproduction ad-
vanced technology bomber?the so-called
Stealth aircraft. - -
? .
aces ea
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Air Force Recommendation
If the strong Air Force recommendation
is accepted, the U. S. will build first a
modified version of the Rockwell Interna-
tional B-1 bomber and have the firstsqua-
. _ dron operational by 1986. -
During this period the Defense Dept.
would continue to fund through USAF a
Stealth aircraft development program-
leading toward an initial operational capa-
bility in 1991e
. This approach would providn.approxi-
mately 100 .modified B-11, known- as the-
long-range combat aircraft (LRC.A), fol-
lowed by a second bomber force of approx-
imately 110 Stealth bombers in the
1990s. - ? _
The two-bombee plan wonl?oet
?
approximately $19.7 biltent for the 100
LRCAs and $30 billion for the 110
Stealth air craft fleet- - --
In seeking to convince the Defense
Dept. to take this route, USAF already
has included approximately $3 billion in
the Fiscal 1982 budget request now being
considered in Congress..
Two-thirds of this sum is earmarked for
the modified B-1 program and the remain-
der for the advanced technology bomber.
program. -
The service already has structured in
the Fiscal 1983 program objective memo-
randum draft plan $4 billion for the two-
bomber concept. -
The funding is divided about the same
as in Fiscal 1982. ???
Aerospace contractor teams believe that
the U. S. can decide to build a single:
advanced technology bomber and have-the
preproduction model flying by 1986, with
an initial operational capability in 1988_
While taking the single advanced tech-
nology bomber approach would save mon-
ey, it also adds an element of risk should
problems develop in building the large
composite structure of the bomber,
according to high-level Defense Dept- offi-
cials. -
"It also means a delay in getting an
oPerational bomber into the inventory as
soon as possible, and-that must be weighed
against any possible saving," an official.
said_ - ? : - _
_
"It also must be realized that those
savingbased on a sinele-bomber program
are only hypothetical and would evaporater
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