Protests Shelve Stealth Fighter Briefing

In a political drama that peaked Tuesday in Washington, the Pentagon abruptly shelved plans to unveil details of its super-secret stealth fighter plane because of angry objections about its possible impact on national security and on the presidential race.

According to congressional sources, the planned press briefing on the radar-eluding jet had received a powerful push from Vice President George Bush’s campaign, as well as from the reelection campaign of Republican Sen. Chic Hecht of Nevada, where the fighters have been based for several years.

Both campaigns have touted their pro-defense stance and see political benefits from their association with the high-technology project.

But in heated exchanges Monday, Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) and Rep. Les Aspin (D-Wis.), chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Services committees respectively, warned Defense Secretary Frank C. Carlucci that the Pentagon’s plan to release pictures and information on the aircraft could harm national security and raise questions about political exploitation of Pentagon projects.

‘Political Decision’

“This was basically a political decision made by politicians to bolster the candidacy of the vice president,” complained one Democratic congressional aide. “They made no effort to explain why now.”

Pentagon spokesman Dan Howard refused to acknowledge that the Pentagon had planned a full briefing on the stealth fighter Tuesday, but insisted that such decisions are not based on political considerations.

The briefing would have represented the first time the Pentagon has officially acknowledged the existence of the stealth fighter, which is being built at Lockheed Corp.’s so-called “Skunk works” operation in Burbank.

Earlier GOP Position

The push for going public with the stealth fighter was in sharp contrast to the Republican position eight years ago when the Carter Administration first revealed the plan to develop a bomber with radar-proof stealth capabilities.

In a September, 1980, campaign speech, then-GOP nominee Ronald Reagan charged that Defense Secretary Harold Brown had “breached one of this nation’s most closely held military secrets in a transparent effort to divert attention from the (Carter) Administration’s dismal defense record.”

Lockheed Workers Sued

Secrecy about the stealth fighter has been eroding in recent weeks as a group of Lockheed production workers have sued the corporation over alleged health hazards they face in handling some of the aircraft’s sensitive materials. It also drew attention when crashes of the craft were reported in July, 1986, and October, 1987, at the Air Force’s secret test flight range in Nevada.

Several lawmakers, including Hecht, a member of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, have received detailed briefings on the aircraft and its capabilities. But when lawmakers were notified Monday of the Pentagon’s plan to stage a public briefing, Nunn and other Democrats immediately protested.

“We just don’t think it’s a good idea for national security reasons,” said one Senate Democrat, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Why take the wraps off it now?”

In messages to Carlucci, Democrats warned that they would treat Bush and Hecht to a rereading of Reagan’s 1980 remarks if the Pentagon went ahead with its briefing.

Objections From Air Force

Some factions of the Air Force reportedly also objected to the disclosure, contending that it would air some sensitive information that has been closely held and would be of value to the United States’ adversaries.

The cancellation came after Hecht had scheduled a press conference, complete with photographs of the craft, to coincide with the Pentagon announcement.

Hecht is locked in a tight Senate race with Nevada Gov. Richard H. Bryan, whom Hecht has branded an anti-defense liberal.