Raptor Turbulence

摘要

"Is THE F-22 a plane that is badly designed—or just badly produced?" asked reporter Brian Ross on ABC's "Nightline," May 2. Pierre Sprey, a relentless critic of defense procurement programs identified by Nightline only as a former war-plane designer, paused to admire this Softball. There were only two possible responses coming: yes or both. Sprey went with, "Both." That exchange may not have been quality journalism, but it was a fitting beginning for what was, at the time of this writing, two weeks of nonstop, mostly negative press for the F-22 Raptor. The Air Force took delivery of the 187th and final F-22 from Lockheed Martin on May 2, but this was completely overshadowed by other Raptor news.