Procurement: August 25, 2001

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A Navy decision to delay its own purchase of the T-6A Joint Primary Aircraft Trainer for five years will cost the Air Force about $10 million per year. The Air Force is buying 48 per year toward a goal of 454 aircraft. The Navy wants 320 aircraft, but has decided to save its own money by purchasing them later. The Air Force desperately had to replace its worn-out T-37s; the Navy does not have the same urgency in replace its T-34s, which still have a few years of service life in them. A smaller purchase each year means a higher price, about $200,000 higher per aircraft. The Air Force is pressuring Congress to force the Navy to buy the planes.--Stephen V Cole