Currently, the F/A-22 runs $133 million USD per jet. However, that is expected to dip below $100 million USD per jet starting with Lot 6. Now, current jets are really valued at about $250 million USD each, with development costs figured in, but apparently those costs are only figured in to the first few production lots for some reason.
A few questions:
1. What’s the current flyaway cost of a Rafale?
2. What’s the current flyaway cost of an EF-2000?
With a flyaway cost of under $100 million USD, the F/A-22 might become a slightly more attractive option on the export market. Countries like Japan might be able to view the aircraft more seriously, as, say, an F-15J replacement.
Now, it’s not like the Raptor will be widely marketed all across the world as an export fighter. But, how comparable in cost is the aircraft to the Rafale and EF-2000, if the per-unit price drops below $100 million USD? Australia, Japan, and Israel may be able to take a stronger look at the Raptor in the near future if things go as planned for the F/A-22.
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July 5, 2005 at 7:43 am