The F-117: As the attached editorial by the director of the Center for Security Policy, Frank J.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | FOR A CREDIBLE DEFENSE POSTURE IN THE FUTURE, INVEST IN THE B-2 TODAY

It took nearly a decade of development effort and operational experience to bring the F-117 to such a level of performance.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | FOR A CREDIBLE DEFENSE POSTURE IN THE FUTURE, INVEST IN THE B-2 TODAY

Interestingly, had the program not been developed, produced and operated for years in total secrecy, there might have been no F-117 to deploy to the gulf.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Don��t bail out on the B-2

It also is the result of extensive experience with earlier generations of low observable technology (including the SR-71, the F-117 fighter, and the advanced cruise missile).

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Roundtable Discussion On The B-2 Bomber

Protecting the Technological Seed Corn: Fortunately, in the case of the F-117 and to an even greater degree with the aforementioned systems whose problems were more in the public domain, the secretary of Defense presiding at the time (and others in the executive branch) engaged directly with the Congress to muster and maintain the necessary support from Capitol Hill.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | FOR A CREDIBLE DEFENSE POSTURE IN THE FUTURE, INVEST IN THE B-2 TODAY