Clipped Wings

Faith in ballistic missiles and reverence for balanced budgets have been the saws with which the Eisenhower Administration has cut defense expenditures almost eight billions of dollars since 1953. Although some of the reductions were no doubt worthwhile savings, others threaten to impair U.S. military effectiveness.

Every year since 1954 U.S. production of piloted aircraft has declined steadily. This year only 8,000 planes are expected to be produced in the United States, a decline of almost 2,000 from two years ago. And for the 1957 defense budget, the Administration has asked Congress for funds which will buy at most 4,000 planes. By comparison, the Soviet Union annually produces 10-16,000 planes.

Not only is the U.S. falling behind the Soviet Union, but this country is also failing to achieve its own stated air power goals. Around 6,200 new planes are necessary each year to bring U.S. striking power up to minimum strength. Yet the figures for 1957 indicate that the services will barely be able to replace losses from operational failures, attrition, and obsolescence.

While the Administration may stress production of medium range and intercontinental missiles, it would be dangerous indeed if production of piloted aircraft should be cut. Pilots may someday be as obsolete as cavalrymen, but that day is far in the future. Even Soviet figures show a continued emphasis on fighters and long-range bombers while proceeding with research on missile warfare.

Even in the field of missiles, many observers, notably Senator Jackson of Washington, fear that the United States may be losing in that critical race. Certainly no one would quarrel with the Administration's request for more money for missiles, or with Secretary of Defense Wilson's forthcoming appointment of a "missile czar." But missiles should not overshadow the need for conventional aircraft; only certain evidence that Communist military strength is waning should have that effect. No one so far has produced such evidence--on the contrary, the Soviet display of air power over Moscow last spring indicates that their strength is greater than ever.

In the light of the few facts available and the many apprehensions, Congressional investigations of the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces should certainly proceed quickly. Within the bounds of security, the American people should know the facts of U.S. military strength and weakness. If the situation is as encouraging as the Administration has said, Congressional investigations can only be reassuring. If not--and this seems more likely--investigation can only help bolster this country's declining air power.