originally posted by: FredT
I like many have been vocal that the Bush and Obama administration really dropped the ball by 1) NOT exporting the F-22 to select allies like
Australia and Japan, but 2) should have produced more.
The tooling was supposed to be stored in the event that further production was deemed necessary. Over a year ago a report was commissioned to explore
the cost associated with restarting the line. Apparently only a few will get to read it (I'm think McCain etc.) and based on the this article which
says information has leaked out and its no bueno
If we bought 194 more F-22 the unit cost would be 200-216 per aircraft (137 from the previous batch)
Its unlikely to garner much support from Lockheed, the USAF,, and their congressional lobby because that would cut into F-35 production
Thats a alot of money at any rate and as the article points out they would more or less be building baseline F-22A's and perhaps not taking advantage
of any advances.
I have a different view of it. There's been many threads on this subject here on ATS and elsewhere. While I am no expert, by any means, I do have a
'healthy' distrust of the consensus minded experts of any gov't agency and especially the almost 'domestic' relationship between the USAF and the MIC.
The early information on the F-22's capabilities were far beyond the current levels on the purely physical attributes. Reading between the lines AND
pilot interviews, both foreign and domestic, regarding the Raptor has lead to this brief summary:
PW F-119 actual thrust circa 40, 000 lbs giving it far and away the best T/W ratio in the world.
ACM capable at 65,000 ft.
Actual ceiling, if pressure suits are provided, 70,000-75,000ft
Super-cruise M2 at 60, 000 ft. ( One US pilot referred to the Raptor as the only true supersonic platform in the world. Military thrust-wise.)
Top speed flirting with M3. (obvious improvements required to avoid damage to coating, skin, etc.)
Highest deflection of any TV'd aircraft in the world, 20-22 degrees.
Add all these point up and the USAF has the best air dominance fighter BY FAR.
The only advantage the F-35 is in computing/systems and an edge in range. Put all those attributes into an upgraded F-22 and yes, the raptor at twice
the cost IS better than two F-35s! Not even close.
Of the approximately 180 F-22 only around 125 are 'combat coded'. 125! The rest are training units.The sixth gens, even if started now, wouldn't reach
IOC until an estimated 2039! 125 Raptors, upgraded or not will not be sufficient to cover all the F-35s in a combat package that far out.
Estimated cost, with production costs is 260 million per. No point pushing it to 300 Million merely to stress one point of view.
As far as Zaphod's issue with other programs being cut, it has no merit at this juncture as the 'real' budget and fight isn't until September and the
potential for increased funding, especially if the F-22 is approved for a rerun in advance, is probable.
A 5.5 Gen F-22 gives assured air supremacy for years. it allow further development of technologies for the Sixth Gen. and pushes that humongous
expense of the sixth Gens back a few years which also allows other programs to continue or even be moved up.
Of course, THAT isn't in the interest of the MIC, is it?......
edit on 21-6-2017 by nwtrucker because: (no reason given)