highsea

Flyaway unit cost per frame for 50 ea. in USAF configuration would run ~$110-$120 Million ea.

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Stan

which given the conversation rate at the moment aint a bad deal when you look at what we are paying per euro

UK should really htink about reducing the euro by looking to offload more to Saudi's or scrap some in order to buy 50 raptors

taygone

That's true. The Eagle is old and other countries do have something to match it or pass it.

Here's another question. Has America exported any F-117's ?

glyn

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BenRoethig

Exported, no. Offered, yes. There was conceptual work done on a Nighthawk variant for the RAF with British avionics and a non-afterburning variant of the EJ200. I wouldn't be surprised if that project indirectly lead to the JSF.

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Zhang Fei

Why the heck not? India doesn't accept large-scale immigration and hasn't a leg to stand on, in terms of immigration issues. Australia owes India nothing.

VarSity

F-22 works out pretty good value for money imo. If the UK could get a bite at the cherry, then I think we should go for it.

I think the US should export the F-22, but only to its strongest allies (UK, Canada and Australia) or where there is a strategic reason for doing so (You could argue leasing F-22's to Japan makes sense)

But from my limited knowledge the only country I can see getting the F-22 would be the UK (cash to spend/possible requirement), and even then its unlikely because I think the RAF is happy with the Typhoon.

Still I would like something more 'Air Dominant' than a multi role aircraft like the Typhoon. Would feel happier going into Iran or somewhere like it with a A2A Aircraft with a decent stealth package.

Stan

varsity you make a good point.

another is that it would really annoy the french - us having such an advantage over them

BenRoethig

The Typhoon is a pure A2A design, just one half a generation behind the raptor. It's air to ground ability is more or less a side effect and there are some weapons and systems it really can't carry because of the small center pylon.

VarSity

BenRoethig, Its the high stealth profile that I think is worth the cash. And im guessing the F-22 still has a ground attack capability which makes it very useful as a first strike weapon.

Also the note about annoying the French, does make the price tag seem worth it

crooks

I voted no, not really, seeing as very few governments can afford it, that could be considered "trusted".

When the price falls however, of course you could.

VarSity

Im not sure of the economics of weapon systems but I don't think it works like buying a freezer out of Dixon's. Surely they build to order so the costs wont change much. Other than spreading some of the R+D costs over more units.

crooks

It eventually becomes cheaper to produce parts, once the tech becomes old, and more standard-issue, that's pretty much a law when it comes to any type of technology, Aviation or not.

ajay_ijn

probably this if offtopic but F-22 weapon load is impressive. only possible for some bomb truck like F-111. A load of 14 BVRs + 2 WVRs in external & internal hardpoints is highest for an Air Superiority Fighter. 2.25 tons for each of 8 external hardpoints is just amazing. I mean if the tomahawks size is enough then F-22 can carry about 8 Tomahawks, 6 AMRAAMs & 2 Sidewinders, though F-22 has to sacrifice stealth.

Jimmy

Except they wont mass-produce these things for long. Once the USAF order is almost filled, Boeing will start threatening to shut down the production line. And they'll follow through if they dont get more orders.