Posted on 09/10/2009 6:04:09 PM PDT by Nachum
For that money it should have a wet bar.
The first 97 Raptors produced cannot be fully upgraded to carry the newest planned Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground upgrades that are slated for the last 91 aircraft that roll off of the Lockheed Martin assembly line.
If we're going to limit ourselves to 187 Raptors, then let's sell those 97 early production models to the Japanese, Aussies, and Israelis, and build 97 more late production model Raptors for our own use that will be fully mission capable now and in the future.
Both the Israelis and the Japanese have sold sensitive technology (AFTER signing non-disclosure agreements) to avowed enemies of the US.
They deserve NOTHING but a backhand to the face.
What about us Aussies?
A Senate panel urged the Air Force on Thursday to start developing an export model of its F-22 Raptor, the most advanced U.S. fighter jet, even as it voted to end U.S. purchases. Japan, Israel and Australia have shown interest in buying the supersonic, radar-evading F-22 Raptor, designed to destroy enemy air defenses in the first days of any conflict and clear the way for other missions.
"I'll only consider signing a bill for this if we sell it to Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and Cuba."
Block 40 standard with HMD, Python 5 IR AAMs, Wild Weasel SEAD capability and integrated ISR systems. Then the monetary revenue from export Raptors would go to developing a heavily upgraded Gen 5.5 F-22C variant, with marginally extended range. 
F-22C Raptor from Ace Combat 3
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