A-12 Aircraft

I am writing in regard to “Next, Carriers With Empty Decks” by former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman (Commentary, Feb. 18). Lehman states that the A-12 Advanced Tactical Aircraft program was directed by the office of the secretary of defense in 1983 over the opposition of the Navy. I have discussed this matter with the chief of naval operations, the deputy chief of naval operations (air warfare) and other senior naval officials who were in office during that period, and they all state that the Navy strongly supported the need for the A-12 aircraft then, as it does now.

In fact the formal operational requirement statement for this aircraft, necessary under law to commence the development and acquisition process, was generated by the Navy, not by the Defense Department. Lehman approved that operational requirement statement in his capacity as secretary of the Navy.

None of the Navy officials, referred to above, felt that the disapproval of the improved A-6 aircraft by the secretary of defense was based on a grudge against the Navy related to disagreement over the TFX airplane over 20 years earlier, as alleged by Lehman. It was their perception that the A-6 cancellation decision was based solely on insufficient funds to procure both the A-12 and the improved A-6.

WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE

Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Vice President, Association of Naval Aviation, Falls Church, VA