Forum: General F-22A Raptor forum

Well, considering the Raptor could very well close after 187 Aircraft. Would the member of the forum who didn't want to see the F-22 Raptor exported reconsider to keep the line going?

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Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

They aren't going to shut it down. The jobs are needed too much. Also, if the auto manufacturers can show up begging for money in Gulfstreams, then the Air Force has a good case to keep the line open.

SnakeHandler wrote:

They aren't going to shut it down. The jobs are needed too much. Also, if the auto manufacturers can show up begging for money in Gulfstreams, then the Air Force has a good case to keep the line open.

Well, time will tell but I wouldn't take that bet.............Just to many big military programs and not enough money to go around. Further, F-22's are of little use in our current conflicts. Which, just adds fuel to the fire..... Crying or Very sad

Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

But it takes too long to build them for our next conflict. The last economic slump like this one put us in the Great Depression and the only thing that got us out of it was a world war. I'm not saying that'll happen this time but if it does, we need to start producing Raptors and Lightnings now.

SnakeHandler wrote:

But it takes too long to build them for our next conflict. The last economic slump like this one put us in the Great Depression and the only thing that got us out of it was a world war. I'm not saying that'll happen this time but if it does, we need to start producing Raptors and Lightnings now.

Well, the F-35 has to be viable or the game is over! Its just that important.....That said, if we can afford more F-22's great we'll take them. Yet, if it comes down to the F-22 or F-35. The latter is going to win........no contest. Wink

Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

Works for me, but I still think they'll keep the line open for now.

SnakeHandler wrote:

Works for me, but I still think they'll keep the line open for now.

I hope so.........Personally, I thing we need at least 275 Raptors for 10 Squadrons of 24 Aircraft.

Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

Nah, 10 with 18 each would work fine. Especially if the Lightning is online.

SnakeHandler wrote:

Works for me, but I still think they'll keep the line open for now.

Well we gonna find out real soon if Obama is his own man or not. With Gates staying on for maybe a year, we know he is going to recommend closing the line down at 183. Gates is a mild soft spoken man and the times I have saw him asked about the F22 you can almost see smoke coming from his ears. He doesn't raise his voice or anything, but you can see he clearly hates the F22 and doesn't even like to discuss it.

Hope you're right though.

Per the "smoke coming from his ears", I agree! 10X18 may or may not be enough, depending on the tactics. No one on this forum can speculate on the tactics for the F22. No doubt, the F22 is too sophisticated for ground attack and is questionable as a front line interceptor vs the F35 per expense. But in the ISR role and backup for the F35 as a "Last Line of Defense", it has no equal or superior. The US must have the F22 and the superiority that it buys us. We will get no second chance from our enemy, we can't reset or start-over in this game of national defense. Expense is important and numbers are important. I don't want my great-grand children having too pay for extravagances that were cannon fodder on a wish list. We need to support the military experts in both faith and money, or replace them. Tell us the tools you need to do the job we want done. We will buy them and you will use them to keep us safe. The F22 must never be exported. Loose lips sink ships, not unlike Aegis!

Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

Things will work out over time. Look what happened after the Great Depression and the last recession. The economy flourished and the military had what it needed. It's easy to become fearful of everything these days but keep your spirits up. After all, we are still the best out there.

SnakeHandler wrote:

Nah, 10 with 18 each would work fine. Especially if the Lightning is online.

That would still require well more than 180 birds. DT and OT units need jets, some are always rotating through deport/LM for upgrades, MX, etc...

As it is right now, we won't have enough to fill avery AEF.

Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

The squadrons that aren't deploying can share while the ones that do get the jets they need. It works for the Navy.

SnakeHandler wrote:

The squadrons that aren't deploying can share while the ones that do get the jets they need. It works for the Navy.

Just out of curiosity, what happens if war breaks out and you now actually need those 10 full squads with real planes and you only got the planes for 6 that can actually go and fight? Seems like a dangerous magic trick numbers game to be playing to me.

Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

We only need six. Twisted Evil

Forum: General F-22A Raptor forum

Export the Raptor or shut it down