US seeks to lift export sales ban on F-22A, page 1

posted on Jun, 26 2006 @ 09:26 AM

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From Jane's:

US seeks to lift export sales ban on F-22A

The US Congress is poised to lift a ban of almost nine years on export sales of the F-22A Raptor aircraft following a vote to lift the ban in the US House of Representatives on 20 June.

US lawmakers approved an amendment to the 2007 defence appropriations bill that would allow F-22A manufacturer Lockheed Martin to sell the next-generation fighter jet to other countries seeking to upgrade their fighter fleets. Potential customers include Japan and South Korea.

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There has been some speculation about this before, but I wasn't aware of that vote by the House. Back in February they mentioned Japan as a potential buyer, see: Air Force Plans to Sell F-22As to Allies.

truttseeker

posted on Jun, 26 2006 @ 11:20 AM

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The good news on this is that our allies will probably be happy that theyre getting what is considered the most advanced fighter ever. The problem is what happens if our allies become our enemies. There goes our ace in the hat.

ShatteredSkies

posted on Jun, 26 2006 @ 12:17 PM

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They'll probably export downgraded F-22A's with less stealth features, not just to make them affordable, but to also garauntee that the US has the true Ultimate fighter.

Shattered OUT...

WestPoint23

posted on Jun, 26 2006 @ 12:53 PM

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True there is an inherent risk when top line systems are exported but seeing as how only the most stable and loyal allies are being considered at this time that risk IMO is minimal. I don’t expect countries such as Japan, Australia or the UK to become US enemies in the coming years. On a side note, can you imagine the tech transfer nightmare that will accompany such a deal? Picture JSF code dilemma x 10.

[edit on 26-6-2006 by WestPoint23]

st3ve_o

posted on Jun, 26 2006 @ 03:35 PM

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i want one!!

might have a word with warren buffett to see if he can donate me some money

JFrazier

posted on Jun, 26 2006 @ 06:17 PM

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The Air Force is trying to find ways to keep the assembly line open for later orders. If they close the line after the last lot, it's over. If they start exporting them, the USAF can sneak in a few more.

WestPoint23

posted on Jun, 26 2006 @ 09:08 PM

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Of course, the USAF wants as many Raptors as possible, clearing the Raptor for export would also bring down the production cost of each bird assuming significant numbers are ordered. As it stands now the last F-22 is to be delivered in 08 and the line will stay open until then pending any future orders.

Zaphod58

posted on Jun, 26 2006 @ 09:42 PM

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As SS said export models are ALWAYS "dumbed down". They will have different systems on them than the USAF uses, and won't be as LO as the US version.