Congressional budget committees have turned in the first judgments on military systems.


@ After years of attempts to kill the F-22, the House passed this year's appropriation uncut.


@ Despite the crash of a V-22, Congressional appropriators increased the scheduled buy from 16 aircraft to 20.


@ The House provided money to build two more F-15Es (primarily a move to keep the production line open another year) even though the Air Force didn't ask for them.

@ Both House and Senate provided more money for the Navy Theater Wide missile defense system.


@ Congress increased the scheduled buys for its perennial favorites, the C-130J and the UH-60 BlackHawk tactical helicopter.


@ House appropriators moved to kill the Discoverer-2 satellite program.


@ Congress cut $170 million from the Joint Strike Fighter, skeptically rejecting Pentagon claims that the design is mature and ready to move toward production.


@ House appropriators trimmed the FA-18E program from 42 aircraft to 39.--Stephen V Cole