Lockheed is the manufacturer for both the F-22 and the F-35. They’re not going to restart the F-22 line when they can milk the F-35 line for far more money.
It’s all money, whether F22 or F35...............
You’d be surprised. There is speculation that a re-opening of the Raptor production line would also include export sales to countries like Australia, Israel, South Korea and even Japan. The Aussies and the Japanese actively campaigned for the F-22, but the Air Force would not approve the technology transfer.
Now, with the rise of China, the idea of 60-100 Raptors with the RAAF and the JASDF makes a great deal of sense.
The biggest problem Lockheed faces is finding space for the “new” Raptor line. When Gates curtailed production, the company put the machine tooling in storage and switched production to the C-130J and the F-35.
HA! LM would score HUGE if the F22 line reopened to the tune of BILLIONS of $$$’s.
You think F35 is a money pit, you ain’t seen nothing.
The US government is responsible for this mess and no one else.