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.
I hear there's a former C-17 line in California that Boeing doesn't use anymore...
“The Aussies and the Japanese actively campaigned for the F-22, but the Air Force would not approve the technology transfer.”
Not entirely correct.
Congressional prohibition in place prohibiting export of the F-22.
An evaluation of making the F-22 “exportable” (software limitations, technology adjustments, networking ability, etc) have to be adjusted before being cleared through an Exception to National Disclosure Policy process.
The cost was estimated to be roughly $1 billion dollars to make exportable.
Cost prohibitive.