US Senate votes to stop production of F-22 plane

WASHINGTON, July 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted to stop production of the F-22 fighter plane, handing President Barack Obama a victory as he tries to rein in defense spending.

The Senate voted 58 to 40 to strip $1.75 billion for the Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N)-built planes from a $680 billion defense bill, overriding the objections of lawmakers seeking to protect manufacturing jobs in the midst of a deep recession.

The Senate's vote does not necessarily kill the program as the House of Representatives included funding for the state-of-the-art fighter in its bill, which sets military spending priorities.

(Editing by Sandra Maler)