F-22 Production Line (Photo from Gizmodo)From Reuters:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - 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.
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My Comment: The Senators are worried about the effects that this recession is having on American workers ..... but since there appears to be a market for F-22s, might as well exploit it and keep the assembly lines working.
My take of the situation is why not .... if the F-35 becomes a dud and/or disaster, the F-22 assembly lines will still be online and working to take on some of the slack.