But... Will We Sell Them?

For years, Japan has been asking the US to sell it F-22 fighters.

Since 1998, all exports of the high-tech fighter have been banned under a 1998 amendment by House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey.

But now, with the announcement that the F-22 will no longer be produced for the US Air Force, tens-of-thousands of US jobs ending as a result, and North Korean threatening the region, the ban is getting a new look from lawmakers.

Reuters reports Japan wants two squadrons of F-22s, 40-to-60 planes, and is willing to pay the costs of modifying them to fly without the classified, high-tech systems which prompted the ban. Lawmakers, anxious to save US jobs, are reportedly interested in the idea, although it does not appear possible to ready an export version of the Raptor in time to keep the line from shutting down.

Nettie Johnson, a spokeswoman for Lockheed Martin, explained what would need to happen.

 Our one customer is the US Air Force, and any sales of F-22s to other countries would be determined by the US Air Force, Department of Defense and State Department, subject to congressional approval."

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com, www.dod.mil