The completed refurbishment extends the Raptor’s life from 2,000 flight hours to 4,000 FH....
That doesn't seem like a lot of flight hours??!! I agree with
mixelflick that we need all the F-22 Raptors that the U.S.A.F. can get (wasn't a E.M.D. F-22 rebuilt to a full combat capable earlier this year)?
Maybe room in the budget can be found to produce an updated F-22 see
https://www.defenseone.com/business/201 ... ce/150943/ (maybe have Japan help produce/fund it)? But with the B-21 Raider yet to enter service, and the T-X trainer yet to be selected
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/08 ... -aircraft/and the U.S.A.F. just
canceled the J-STARS replacement! I'm not optimistic that any new production F-22s are forthcoming.
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.— Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.