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| Home Front: Politix |
| Air Force Plans to Sell F-22As to Allies |
| 2006-02-20 |
| Momentum is building within the Air Force to sell the service's prized F-22A Raptor -- which is loaded with super-secret systems -- to trusted U.S. allies, with Japan viewed as the most likely buyer, service and industry officials tell Inside the Air Force. A Lockheed Martin official heavily involved in the Raptor program told ITAF Feb. 14 that a proposal to alter course and sell the Raptor to Japan is working its way through the Air Force. Rest at link. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #16 even our friend Israel was willing to sell to the ChiComs. I'd add Aussies to our never-fail friends list |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-02-20 18:34 |
| #15 J-Pan yes; everyone else, fuck off Recall the Euros eagerness last summer to sell weaponry to the ChiComs? |
| Posted by: Captain America 2006-02-20 18:30 |
| #14 Australia? The UK? Japan? Israel? Hell yes! We'll also be able to buy more. Maybe even Canada. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-02-20 18:30 |
| #13 It seems the Grumman maintenance techies did something nasty to the black boxes on the way out the door Jeez Mike, I'd hate be the one to find that out |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-02-20 18:01 |
| #12 Export versions are always a bit detuned, and they don't always get the latest upgrades. I'm not concerned about giving the good stuff to Japan or the UK; Germany's still on probation, though. The Shah's F-14s didn't fly much after the revolution. It seems the Grumman maintenance techies did something nasty to the black boxes on the way out the door, and there was always the problem of spare parts . . . . |
| Posted by: Mike 2006-02-20 17:54 |
| #11 At a guess - and that's all it is - the brass feel then need a new human piloted fighter despite the very high expense. Don't forget, however, that technologies like UCAVs are maturing quickly. By the time this is sold and delivered, if it is, it may well represent an important but NOT the most advanced capability we have in the air. |
| Posted by: lotp 2006-02-20 15:19 |
| #10 Thanks for the leak; this needs to be aired out in the domain of PO! I don't see other nations flying around in one of our stealth fighters, or B2s. Like Charles (#5) indicated head on, let others watch in awe for a few years and then throw out the scraps for the wolves! |
| Posted by: smn 2006-02-20 15:14 |
| #9 This is probably not something the brass is eager to do, but they are willing to do to keep the production lines open and amortize the per unit cost a little. |
| Posted by: Iblis 2006-02-20 15:12 |
| #8 these export versions should have the secret code writen into the software that allows us to shut down any or all parts tht appear menacing. imagine the fun at 20 thousand fet when the fans go quiet and all you hear is the starter whining away. and AAA won't make house calls; at least not in time anyway... |
| Posted by: USN, ret. 2006-02-20 14:49 |
| #7 Just one more reason to believe our civilization is doomed! Whether we do the Politicians first or the Muzzies, remains to be seen. Maybe we could do them both at the same time. |
| Posted by: Nuck Fozzle2168 2006-02-20 10:48 |
| #6 I remember when th US sold F-14s to Iran. I mean the Shah wasn't going anyplace, right? |
| Posted by: tu3031 2006-02-20 10:23 |
| #5 I seriously think this is a bad idea. There is no telling what kind of spies may exist in other countries, especially Japan with it being so close to China/North Korea. Maybe 15years down the road when we've made HUGE improvements sell them the old ones, but not now. |
| Posted by: Charles 2006-02-20 10:21 |
| #4 Israel can pound sand after giving so much to China. More than Clinton did. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-02-20 10:11 |
| #3 Israel could do with a squadron. |
| Posted by: pihkalbadger 2006-02-20 10:10 |
| #2 Is there any ally out there besides maybe Japan that could afford them in any number? |
| Posted by: Sleter Fluns1455 2006-02-20 09:23 |
| #1 I don't know - I'm not a fan of sharing our #1, tip-top, absolute best technology with anyone. Except maybe England, and even maybe not, these days. |
| Posted by: gromky 2006-02-20 08:49 |