Joint Strike Fighter focus sparks concern

(EXCERPT) , By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes Pacific edition,
Friday, March 19, 2004

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers expressed concern Wednesday over the U.S.
military’s pursuit of the Joint Strike Fighter, pressing Navy and
Marine Corps leaders to address the need for three versions and the
delay of the program by a year.

Despite there being three variants of the next-generation stealth
strike fighter, there is enough commonality between them to keep down
the cost, Navy Secretary Gordon England told members of the
subcommittee of defense of the House Appropriations Committee.

It’s the choice of versions that will most benefit the Marine Corps,
Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee said. The Corps wants the Short Take Off
and Vertical Landing, or STOVL, version, which mimics some of the
characteristics provided by the AV-8B Harrier.

Four of the Corps’ five Harrier squadrons were deployed...

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---------------------------
Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com