Stephen you left out some information about your highlights. For point number two Dave specifically mentions that while the block 30 (increment 3.1) jets do not have the ESMS that enable AIM-9X and -120D capability, they *are* looking at other solutions for adding those weapons; so never is a bit disingenuous. For point number three JROC did not asses HMCS as a core capability for the F-22 mission. On the F-16 boards Dave said that from his interviews it’s fiscal rather than a technical hurdle and in his article he mentions that HMCS may be added later.Personally I think adding SDB, -120D and -9X is more important than a HMCS but the F-22 probably should get it in increment 3.3 or 4. I also think the USAF will eventually have to bite the bullet and move towards a common hardware configuration that enables all F-22 capabilities for the entire fleet; something along the lines of the F-15C MSIP program. This is particularly important with future weapons coming down the line such as JDRADM, LCMCM, SDB II etc. where the older block 30 jets won’t be able to employ them with out upgrade.
Which will probably happen, but not for another decade at least.
What could have been done, and IMHO should have been done, is if we were going to settle on 187 as the final number, then we build 187 aircraft to the newest hardware and wiring standard, and sell off the earlier block aircraft to allies who wanted F-22s such as Japan and Australia.