What I'm wondering is this: Most of what I hear is that the F-35 has more advanced technology than the F-22, which seems natural since it is a "newer" airplane than the Raptor. . . .
So my question is this: Why is it ok to hand out top shelf electronics and systems with high end stealth, but not top end stealth with high end electronics?<

Cool...if anyone does have trouble with it, here is the PDF. I would have posted it earlier, but my net connection kept going in and out.

Published: September 11, 2006

One measure, passed by the House in July on a voice vote after only 11 minutes of discussion, would end a ban on F-22 sales abroad.

The House effort to lift the ban on foreign sales was offered by Representative Kay Granger, the Texas Republican whose district includes the Lockheed factory that makes the F-22's midsection and employs 2,640 people.

Sep 27, 2006
Congressional defense appropriators have agreed to allow a multiyear contract for F-22A Raptor procurement, but decided against allowing foreign sales of the futuristic fighter after considering otherwise.

A few years down the road, however, things may have changed significantly in the world political arena. There is no way to know if the government will decide at that time to lift the FMS ban on the F-22

The export of the F-22A however is banned under federal law until 2015 and needs approval from the U.S. Congress and the Pentagon.

In mock battles with F-15, F-16 and F-18 fighter jets, the F-22 achieved a 144:0 kill-to-loss ratio. The South Korean Air Force, composed mainly of F-15 and F-16 fighters, would probably be powerless in front of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force equipped with F-22s.

Seoul unveiled its ambition today to also procure fifth-generation fighter jets such as F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, to keep up with the air superiority of neighboring powers.

The United States would also be inclined to allow the sale of the F-22 Raptor to the Israeli Air Force if the State of Israel's security was in jeopardy

While Congress and the Pentagon would be hesitant to release classified technology like the F-22 to Israel, "if it came to a question of Israeli security, I am confident they will come to help."

Japan’s defense minister, Fumio Kyuma, has asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates for top-secret technical data about the Pentagon’s prized F-22A Raptor, which Tokyo would like to buy.

“We have heard the capability [of the F-22A] is quite high,” Kyuma said Wednesday in Washington. “But without more concrete information disclosed, we won’t be able to know” about a number of technical and performance specifications.

I think it's a really bad idea to export the Raptor to anyone, but if we did then Japan and Australia should get it long before Israel ever does. They face much more sophisticated threats and they do not reverse engineer our stuff and then market competing products to friends and potential foes alike.

I don't know what version of Eurofighter SA is getting but I doubt it will be a match for Israeli modified F-15s and F-16s.

I don't even see the point of exporting the F-35 to them. If they really feel threatened they can go out and by Eurofighters with their own money.

I would agree if the US does export the F-22 Raptor. Australia, Japan, or South Korea would come first. So, in the short term no! Down the road anything is possible...........of course much depends on how Iraq turns out and if Iran gets in line with the rest of the world? Regardless, Israel should get the F-35. Which, more than likely will be over kill to the likely threats she may encounter in the forseeable future..........IMO

The best thing in that region is most likely to be future Saudi Typhoons. The F-35 should be more than enough to fly air superiority against these. Maybe not with as much kinematic flexibility as the F-22, but when it comes down to shooting and killing them it'll be more than up to the task.

I know that, from several post ago.... the Obey's is still tacked on and that's the one amendment most every news related f-22 article sites for any f-22 hold up. Including this f-22 data release. I fully understand about the act, I'm not debating that. Others might take it to pedantic level.

to approve or license the sale of the F-22A advanced tactical fighter to any foreign government.

"None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to approve or license the sale of the F-22 advanced tactical fighter to any foreign government."