The Air Force gets a stimulus package.Democratic Representative John Murtha, who heads the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, managed to get $3.1 billion for eight C-17 and 11 C-130 military transport planes included. However, that has been pared back by four C-130s.If the Navy had three billion dollars in stimulus, what you spend it on?
The Pentagon did not request the aircraft but lawmakers want them to preserve jobs in their home states and Murtha disputes the military's contention that they are not needed.
I'd spend the money on a 4th DDG-1000 at Bath, as a way to try avoiding the extra costs to start up the DDG-51 line in Bath. This would allow me to move both of the DDG-51s planned for next year to Ingalls, and by building all three new Burkes in Ingalls potentially save some money on surface combatants for a change.
If "stimulus" spending is for sustaining the industrial base, DDG-1000 is perfect for that. Besides, the Navy will say they don't need more DDG-1000s just like the Air Force will say they don't need more C-17s. That sounds like a perfect match.
Am I bothered by the Air Force getting more C-17s? Yea, I guess a little. For $3.1 billion we are buying 7 C-130s and 8 C-17s the Air Force doesn't need, meanwhile the same money could buy 60 FA-18s the Navy does need.
Too bad the FA-18s aren't made in Pennsylvania.
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