Japan has apparently officially abandoned its pursuit of the F-22 in favor of the F-35 as it considers a platform to recapitalize it aging fighter fleet. Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Washington, D.C., Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said the Asian ally is now “focused on F-35,” based on his interactions over the past half year or so with the Japanese air chief. Japanese officials last year expressed interest in acquiring an export version of the F-22, but met Pentagon resistance and faced the standing US law banning F-22 overseas sales. Donley said the Pentagon has not softened its opposition, explaining that the F-22 has characteristics “worth protecting” and “proprietary to the United States.” Plus, the F-22, unlike the F-35, was not designed with export in mind. “Just the concept of an exportable F-22 involves a substantial redesign of the airplane,” imposing substantial costs, he said.
The Air Force’s Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile is behind schedule and may significantly overrun its expected cost, which could partially explain why the service is reviving the hypersonic AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid-Response Weapon.