Lockheed Says Cutting F-22s Would Cost Thousands of Jobs

Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the F-22 fighter jet, said thousands of jobs would be lost if President Obama decides not to continue funding for the advanced but costly plane.

Larry Lawson, Lockheed’s general manager for the F-22 program, said the program is responsible for about 95,000 jobs at 1,000 suppliers.

Obama must decide by March 1st whether to spend $523 million on 20 more of the radar-evading planes beyond the 183 already planned.

Pentagon leaders, including Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, have expressed doubt that more F-22s are needed, especially since the military plans to buy several thousand F-35s, a much cheaper plane.