The 2007 defense appropriations bill specifically prohibits the sale of the F-22A to “any foreign government.” The House had approved a foreign sales provision, but the House-Senate conferees stripped it from the bill. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley said in July that he thought selling the Raptor to allied nations would be OK; however he said such a move would require much discussion both from a production standpoint and from technology transfer concerns.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.