Saturday, February 18, 2006

F-22 to Japan


In an attempt to expand the Raptor assembly line, the Air Force is contemplating selling the advanced stealth fighter overseas to our allies, says Military.com:

Momentum is building within the Air Force to sell the service's prized F-22A Raptor -- which is loaded with super-secret systems -- to trusted U.S. allies, with Japan viewed as the most likely buyer, service and industry officials tell Inside the Air Force.
A Lockheed Martin official heavily involved in the Raptor program told ITAF Feb. 14 that a proposal to alter course and sell the Raptor to Japan is working its way through the Air Force. Lockheed is leading development and production work on the service's newest fighter.

Not too many out there who could afford the $200 million fighter. Perhaps the Saudis?