A US Air Force (USAF) Lockheed Martin F-22 fighter aircraft crashed on 25 March during a test mission near Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California. The aircraft is the first to crash since the F-22 Raptor fleet became fully operational in 2007. One pilot was on board and is reported to have died in the incident. The accident comes as the Obama administration weighs a decision on future F-22 procurement; the production line will close in 2011 unless the president approves the purchase of additional fighters beyond the 183 already ordered. The White House is expected to release its decision in April when details of the Fiscal Year 2010 defence budget are released. Today the US military has 134 F-22 aircraft in its inventory.
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