F-22 (Photo from Defense Industry Daily)From Defense Industry Daily:
Back in February 2006, InsideDefense.com’s Inside The Air Force (ITAF) reported that momentum was building within the Air Force to sell the ultra-advanced F-22A Raptor abroad to trusted U.S. allies, as a way of plussing up numbers and production. The USAF originally initially intended to purchase 700-800 F-22 fighters, but that was cut to 442, then 381, and recently cut again to just over 180. These cuts have had obvious effects on the cost per aircraft, and on the ratio of aircraft to total R&D + production money spent. With F-22 production set to terminate around 2010, and increasing concern over the capability gap between other US fighters and global competitors like the SU-30 family, MiG-35, et. al., some USAF planners are becoming concerned. Extending the F-22 production line through exports is also a way of extending the USA’s decision options.
One of the most likely export prospects is Japan. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) currently has 3 fighter jet models in its fleet: F-15J/F-15DJ Eagles, its F-4EJ “Kai” and RF-4EJ reconnaissance Phantom IIs, the Mitsubishi F-2s (a larger, longer-range variant on the F-16C). The Mitsubishi F-1 entered service in 1978 and is still listed on the JASDF web site, but it has now been replaced by F-2s1. The JASDF introduced the F-4EJ in 1973, and the RF-4EJ version is slated for replacement by F-15Js with special pods. Japan has indicated it will begin retiring the F-4 platform entirely early next decade., which gives the Japanese a number of choices to make – and the F-22 is currently at the top of their list.
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My Comment: From a forecast of 700-800 F-22 fighters .... to just 182 today. Those numbers say it all.
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