Northcom's: proposed light fighter aircraft could face budget hurdles.

• Author: Magnuson, Stew
• Position: SECURITYBEAT

Navy Adm. James Winnefeld, U.S. Northern Command commander, raised eyebrows when he told Washington-based reporters that he saw the need for a new light fighter-style aircraft that could be used for intercept missions in the homeland. Talk of a new acquisition program always makes headlines.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

However, Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with the Teal Group, questioned whether NORTHCOM could get the funding for such an aircraft in today's tight budget climate. The proposed aircraft fits into the "exquisite solution" scenario where an entire weapon system is created to fill just one need, he said.

Winnefeld said the aging fleet of F-16 jets currently being used by the Air National Guard can handle the "fast and high," but for homeland security missions, he wants aircraft that can do slow and low for intercept missions.

"F-16s don't fly slow very well," said Winnefeld, who also leads the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

Winnefeld said he's watching closely studies and tests on a variety of hardware "to see what the art of the possible is with a light fighter-type aircraft." Something other than an F-16 would be better for loitering during large outdoor events or political conventions, he said. The solution might simply be a fast helicopter or light jet, he added.

Aboulafia said: "If it's off the shelf, you could probably get something." "But they're certainly not going to get something that is dedicated to this particular mission using an all new airframe."

There are many commercially...