Dale Bumpers: “If 601 hours was the right number of preproduction tests last year, why is 183 hours the right number this year? This…”

“If 601 hours was the right number of preproduction tests last year, why is 183 hours the right number this year? This chart shows the preproduction flight hours here. Those planes were tested this amount: 975 hours for the F-15; 1,115 hours for the F-16; and 1,418 hours for the F-18-- preproduction hours. And what are we going to do for the F-22? 183. And let me repeat, when you talk about how much more this is going to cost, $3 or $4 billion more, if we do not do this--you tell me, what if the Secretary does not wait? They still have to test 433 hours, and presumably you are going to get into the same cost figures of a $3 to $4 billion cost overrun. And while I am at it, let me ask the Air Force and Lockheed Martin this question: If you did not know, if they did not know that this committee, the Armed Services Committee--if they did not know that the required test hours were going to be cut from 600 to 183, why did they make those commitments that would generate a $3 to $4 billion cost overrun? Why are we responsible for the cost overrun that they have incurred--not us--they? Oh, Mr. President, it is so frustrating.”