Originally Posted by
LivingInMEM
Politics and the UAV community, are you kidding??? Politics is scrapping every current fighter and bomber so we can buy 187 F-22s and have the hope of some F-35s. Politics is withholding funding to the F-15 in the '90s so the F-22 could look more critical. Politics is retiring the USAF heavy-lift helos before the V-22 had even entered OT&E to influence any considerations of cancelations.
Actually, no I am not kidding about politics in the UAV community. It's not like the other examples that you cited though. Regardless of personal opinions regarding RPA's and the role they play, it is quite apparent that the "Drone lobby" does have some serious pull in Congress as do other defense projects. Below are some links to consider reading.
Congressional UAV boosters collected nearly War Is Business | News and research about defense contractors and the arms trade.8 million
Border Lines: Cong. Reyes and the Drone Lobby
While I do not favor some of the views on this website, the article is worth some reading and consideration.
How the Drone Warfare Industry Took Over Our Congress | News & Politics | AlterNet
I don't think that anyone with recent experience in theater will deny the capability that RPA's bring to the fight. Unfortunately, we have to "rob Peter to pay Paul" in regards to fiscal issues. The cancellation of
this particular project will allow the Air Force to free up funding for other important projects as well.