In the article The F-22 An exercise in overkill, David Callahan primarily talks about Lockheeds F-22 Advanced Tactical Fighter and explains the essential rationale behind the Air Forces incessant demands towards the development of an extremely costly fighter plane. The article outlines the facts of the case starting from the argument presented during the period of the Cold War as well as the alterations in the stance of the Air Force when the threat of the Soviet Union was neutralized. Initially, the ATF program was initiated with the sole purpose of developing extremely advanced tactical fighter planes in order to counteract the numerical military advantage that the Soviet Union had over the west. Hence, the main objective was to offset creation of any advanced Soviet weaponry in terms of air warfare.
Consequently, during the period of the Cold War when the threat of the Soviet Union was at its peak, financial investment in regards to the ATF program was absolutely justified, however, the case was reversed during the post-Cold War period due to the sole reason that the US could not discern any visible threats that it would have to face during the near future. Every intelligence organ within the country had confirmed the negation of the Soviet Threat with the most authentic testimony being produced by the Director of the CIA, William Webster, during a congressional hearing No Soviet Government in the near future will be likely to seek a broad reversal of the changes that have occurred in Eastern Europe, or try to revive the Warsaw Pact. Consequently, the Air force as well as promulgators within the Pentagon modified their stance in order to facilitate the continued funding of the development of the F-22 in the face of changing opinions within the Congress.
In retrospect, the Pentagon formulated a new strategic military objective which stated that the US needed to maintain military superiority in order to counteract threats that would emerge during the 21st Century such as a new global challenger as well as the provision of world stability. These objectives were primarily sustained by the increasingly uncertain situation of the world as well as the fact that the US was concerned with military developments with regards to its European Allies and their subsequent military assistance to third world countries as had been exemplified by Frances military dealings with Iraq. As stated by Air Force official John J. Welch in March 1990 I believe that our research and development investment strategy must be looked at quite independently of a specific threat by a specific adversary adequately summarized the view of the US in that regard. However, the threat of arms selling to third world countries proved to be of no consequence due to Iraqs incapability to defend itself during Desert Storm.
However, despite the new strategic inception, the costs associated with the development of the F-22 were considerable enough to create doubts within the minds of a significant number of people within the congress. The continuation of the ATF program, specifically the development of the F-22, would approximately amount to 2.2 billion, a staggering amount. Considering the argument presented by the Air Force as well as the Pentagon, it was apparent that such costs were not being adequately justified. However, as the article states at the end, one must also keep in mind bureaucratic and economic motivational factors that were playing an extremely important role in swaying the congress towards continuing the program not to mention national pride in regards to the fact that the US wanted to maintain its military superiority as one of the most powerful nations present in the world today.
Hence, it can be adequately stated that the article primarily presents the arguments put in place by the Pentagon in order to facilitate the maintenance and continuation of the F-22 program and attempts to discern the latent motivational factors behind it. Consequently, although the development of the F-22 was justified during the period of the Cold War, however, after the fall of the Soviet Union, its continuation was not adequately justified by Pentagon Officials.
Consequently, during the period of the Cold War when the threat of the Soviet Union was at its peak, financial investment in regards to the ATF program was absolutely justified, however, the case was reversed during the post-Cold War period due to the sole reason that the US could not discern any visible threats that it would have to face during the near future. Every intelligence organ within the country had confirmed the negation of the Soviet Threat with the most authentic testimony being produced by the Director of the CIA, William Webster, during a congressional hearing No Soviet Government in the near future will be likely to seek a broad reversal of the changes that have occurred in Eastern Europe, or try to revive the Warsaw Pact. Consequently, the Air force as well as promulgators within the Pentagon modified their stance in order to facilitate the continued funding of the development of the F-22 in the face of changing opinions within the Congress.
In retrospect, the Pentagon formulated a new strategic military objective which stated that the US needed to maintain military superiority in order to counteract threats that would emerge during the 21st Century such as a new global challenger as well as the provision of world stability. These objectives were primarily sustained by the increasingly uncertain situation of the world as well as the fact that the US was concerned with military developments with regards to its European Allies and their subsequent military assistance to third world countries as had been exemplified by Frances military dealings with Iraq. As stated by Air Force official John J. Welch in March 1990 I believe that our research and development investment strategy must be looked at quite independently of a specific threat by a specific adversary adequately summarized the view of the US in that regard. However, the threat of arms selling to third world countries proved to be of no consequence due to Iraqs incapability to defend itself during Desert Storm.
However, despite the new strategic inception, the costs associated with the development of the F-22 were considerable enough to create doubts within the minds of a significant number of people within the congress. The continuation of the ATF program, specifically the development of the F-22, would approximately amount to 2.2 billion, a staggering amount. Considering the argument presented by the Air Force as well as the Pentagon, it was apparent that such costs were not being adequately justified. However, as the article states at the end, one must also keep in mind bureaucratic and economic motivational factors that were playing an extremely important role in swaying the congress towards continuing the program not to mention national pride in regards to the fact that the US wanted to maintain its military superiority as one of the most powerful nations present in the world today.
Hence, it can be adequately stated that the article primarily presents the arguments put in place by the Pentagon in order to facilitate the maintenance and continuation of the F-22 program and attempts to discern the latent motivational factors behind it. Consequently, although the development of the F-22 was justified during the period of the Cold War, however, after the fall of the Soviet Union, its continuation was not adequately justified by Pentagon Officials.
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