Exporting 5th Generation

Two days ago, the USAF has been mulling over the decision to sell the F-22A Raptor, the only 5th generation fighter in the world to our most trusted allies, Japan being at the forefront. I still don't know what to make of this.

The F-22A Raptor reached intial operational capability (IOC) in December. The F-22 is an air superiority fighter on a level unmatched by any other country in the world. It can fly faster, further, and it's deadlier than anything ever concieved. The F-22 uses its extreme stealth and superb avionics to hunt down and detect enemy aircraft long before the F-22 comes into their detection range. Armed with the AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120C AMRAAM (soon to be AIM-120D), the F-22 has the ability to shoot down anything without ever being seen. This type of capability is something that our enemies, including China and Russia, wish they had.

The United States has been very careful, in the past, about exporting the best of the best. The F-111 Aardvark, perhaps one of the best fighter bombers, was only exported to Australia (the UK eventually cancelled its aircraft). The F-14 Tomcat, another amazing interceptor found its way into Iran before the Shah was deposed and eventually, in Iranian service, achieved a kill ratio throughout the Iran-Iraq War that gave great homage to the Tomcat. Sadly, it was in the hands of a very hostile nation. Other aircraft, such as the F-15 Eagle, have been exported on a much more limited scale. The F-16 has been widely exported. However, for the most part, the best of the best has never left these borders, namely the F-117 and B-2, both stealth aircraft.

Exporting the F-22 would, in some ways, make sense. With the rise of the Typhoon and Rafale, as well as the advanced Su-30 variants, the international market is a hot place where the United States is slowly losing its grasp. The advanced F-15E Strike Eagle variants are still only 4th or 4.5th generation. The Typhoon, a very agile and promising fighter built by Eurofighter is tough competition as it can perform multirole operations, something the F-22 inevitably lacks. The F-22 is made more for air superiority rather than anything else. The Su-30 variants are very capable as well, agile and devestating in multirole. The Rafale, much like the Su-30 and the Typhoon definitely ranks up there. However, none of these aircraft are 5th generation, not like the F-22.

It makes sense to export the F-22 to our most trusted allies. The revenue earned could go a long way to the F-22 program, perhaps driving down the cost and forcing the DOD to buy more of these stupendous aircraft. On the other hand, even exporting a downgraded variant could lead to a security risk. Time will tell; however, for now, WE OWN THE SKIES.