F-35 Brains in an F-22 Body: Thinking Through Japan's Next-Generation Fighter Options
Getting there won’t be easy, but an updated F-22 is, in theory, a formidable concept.
By Robert Farley
May 01, 2018
The aviation world went bonkers early this week when news emerged that Lockheed Martin has proposed offering a hybrid of the F-22 and F-35 to Japan. The fighter, which would come in addition to the purchase of at least 60 F-35s, would combine elements of the two fighters to presumably produce one of the world’s most formidable combat aircraft.
Japan has previously adopted several American designs, including the F-15J and the F-2 (an outgrowth of the F-16). It sought F-22s, but could not acquire them because of the Obey Amendment, a law intended to prevent transfer of the Raptor. The future of Japan’s own stealth fighter project remains in grave doubt after news emerged last month that the country would seek external technological assistance with the program. Japan has already begun purchase of the F-35, but it wants an additional fighter to carry out interceptor duties across its airspace. The threat of incursions from China and Russia has driven this concern.
https://thediplomat.com/2018/05/f-35-brains-in-an-f-22-body-thinking-through-japans-next-generation-fighter-options/
