In February this year, the Pentagon announced the cancellation of the $38 billion Comanche helicopter program, another weapons system from the cold-war era.

An Army special operations team is airdropped into Japan to support covertly inserted Comanche helicopters.

Last month, the government canceled its longstanding development work on the Comanche helicopter.

The Army plans to purchase 1,292 Comanche helicopters through the year 2008.

Mr. Rumsfeld has cancelled only two major programs: the Crusader self-propelled artillery and the Comanche helicopter.

And the Army wants to build 1,213 Comanche helicopters at $39 billion.

Targeted include the F-22 tactical jet, the Comanche helicopter and the Crusader artillery system.

"What about the Comanche helicopter stationed at Wauwai?"

That would be enough for 450 new strike fighters, 12 warships or 650 Comanche helicopters, General Shelton said.

Comanche helicopter - The initial Army estimates for development were $3.6 billion over eight years.