New immigrant to Israel: F22 stealth fighter?

Yedioth Ahronoth,Israel ^ | 08.03.06, 18:40 | Aryeh Egozi

[sukhoi-30mki]

New immigrant: F22 stealth bomber?

World's most advanced fighter jet currently only in US hands. After House of Representatives lifts ban on its sale, security establishment assesses jet may be offered to Israel

Aryeh Egozi

The United States may supply Israel with the most advanced stealth fighter jet in the world – the F22 Raptor – considering the war in Lebanon and the Iranian threat, the Israeli security establishment has assessed.

The US has not yet exported the F22 to any of its allies. Recently, however, the House of Representatives lifted its nine year ban on the sale of the advanced jet outside the United States. No real contacts have yet been made on the matter, but the lifting of the ban on its sale has paved the way for such a deal.

US officials have apparently hinted to Israel lately that as part of American efforts in the international war on the “axis of evil,” the US would offer Israel to buy the stealth fighter.

The F22 Raptor is manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Originally, the US Air Force planned to buy 750 of the jets, but the number dropped first to 350, then to a mere 183. The price of each F22 is roughly USD 150 million. Lockheed Martin wanted to export the plane to American allies, but up until now it was barred by the US government from offering them for sale.

The Israeli Air Force enthusiastically welcomed reports that the stealth jet could come to Israel. The F22 Raptor is the most advanced warplane in the world and is almost undetectable to radar systems. The plane’s stealth is achieved through the combination of its shape, color, composite materials, and various installed systems.

The single-seater plane is armed mainly with air-to-air missiles, but also with the smart missiles used by the Israeli Air Force.

Anti-missile systems project

In addition, security officials assessed Wednesday that the US administration would significantly boost funding of the joint American-Israeli program to develop anti-missile systems.

“The threat is on the whole world, and Washington understands that a solution must be found – and fast,” one of the sources said.

Even before the current war, the security establishment assessed that all types of rockets – starting at the simple Qassam all the way to accurate long-range missiles – would be the main weapon of terrorism used against Israel in the upcoming years.

For this purpose, the Defense Ministry decided to take up a joint offer by the Rafael Advanced Development Authority Ltd. and the American Raytheon Company to manufacture an unprecedented defense system, jointly funded by Israel and the US.

The initial investment amounted to USD 250 million. The project’s main aim was to develop a portable system that would quickly identify rocket launches and respond immediately by destroying the enemy rocket.

(08.03.06, 18:40)

[madconserv]

Let Lockheed export them to Israel, Austrailia, Canada and Great Britian.

We must be careful who our friends are.

[mkjessup]

I see no need to give Israel a stealth fighter. I have read nothing about planes being downed by Hezballah, there is no need for stealth, unless Israel is planning to go to Iran. Which by the way has to be viewed a a major escalation of the war. Iran certainly needs to be visited and visited hard, but it needs to be done by a coalition of many countries. Unfortunately If Israel tries to go it alone it will be condemned by the very countries that should be in that coalition.

A true stealth nuke strike on Iran after supplying the F-22 to Israel would just leave some surviving, partially incinerated mullahs pointing fingers and accusing everybody of dropping the big one on 'em.

As for Israel being condemned for it, they don't give a flying flip about world opinion, and the U.S. would do well to emulate that.

And when "somebody" does step up to the plate, they should be sure to drop some high yield munitions down that freakin well that Ahmadjihad likes to poke his head in and talk to the 12th I-Mammy down there. If we catch the little runt during one of his sessions, that's what you call a "twofer".

Have a good day Sarge! ;)

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

hopefully people more in the know will be deciding this issue

[Vinnie]

They don't need the F-22, they need the B-52

Exactly
Some B1Bs would help also.

[GAB-1955]

Actually the F-35 Lighting II will be the export model allies will get. It will be to the F-22 what the F-16 is to the F-15.

[Kakaze]

I understand that, it's to be the real workhorse while the 22's do the intricate work. As such the allies and all of our services will buy alot these.

I still think that we should allow certain allies to have a small amount of 22's.

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[wolf78]

No doubt about it, the F22 is a fantastic plane, but how the hell is Israel going to afford a relevant number of these planes when the price tag is 330+ million dollars?

Maybe one or two, just enough to deliver some nukes to Tehran, but I seriously doubt they´re in for more.

[Chode]

seems like a waste to me... their AirForce is already able to destroy any of their enemies airforces.

i think they's be better off spending the same cash on more armor and land/air launched cruise missiles and c-m technology... then just pound the GoatHumpers to dust on a moments notice.

[SunkenCiv]

Bingo.

[Thermalseeker]

I see no need to give Israel a stealth fighter.

Not for fighing the Hezbo's, but for striking Iran, yes. The Iran thing is going to happen sooner or later, hopefully sooner. Israel could probably use a wing or two of A-10 Warthogs, too. Hell hath no fury like an A-10 Warthog.....

[Thermalseeker]

It will be to the F-22 what the F-16 is to the F-15.

A completely different airplane?

[Ready4Freddy]

How long would it take for Israel to have an operational wing of 22s? If they got them today, what's the time for training pilots & ground crew?

[jpsb]

Sell it to Israel and the Chicoms will have a "copy" in three years. Until the inteligence leak in Israel is fixed, they should not be allowed access to our best tech.

[Grzegorz 246]

Years.

[Ready4Freddy]

That's what I figured...

[BIGLOOK]

Sometimes a great notion.....ping

[Aeronaut]

[Northern Yankee]

Absolutely is.

[GBA]

Yes. the F-35 is a completely different airplane. Single engine, like the F-16, compared to the twin engine F-22 supreme air superiority fighter (like the F-15).