I apologize. It wasn’t meant as a political statement. I’ve cleaned up my post and I’ll try to stay on topic in the future.
Anyways, it might be interesting to create a “new” F-22. A lot of analysis goes into aircraft design, as we all know. My understanding is that the F-35 uses RAM built into its structure, rather than extensive coatings, making the a/c easier to maintain. Perhaps this idea could be applied to a new F-22 as well?
Structural RAM like that used on the F-35 I think is usually some sort of CFRP absorber with frequency selective surfaces. This would probably change things like composite fibre angles, which would mean having to examine structural and aeroelastic effects in addition to signature and emissions management, which would in turn could mean having to make slight FCS changes. My understanding is also that absorber analysis is usually done after optimizing shaping, which could also mean a less than optimal match between the new absorber and the F-22 shaping.
Avionics could be updated- fortunately they are already doing this with the APG-77- updating it to use newer T/R technology from the APG-81. There is space for the AIRST, perhaps the EODAS from the F-35 could be placed there? Once again, you still have to watch for emissions and signature management issues.
Then the production line for the F-22 would likely have to be restarted, and a supply chain for the new parts would have to be set up. And by the time everything is all said and done, you would have a warmed over 1990’s design, and still have an expensive aircraft. It might have make more sense to do a clean sheet design- something like NGAD perhaps?
Giving the F-22 new “skin” similar to the F-35’s was kinda what I was thinking. I have no idea what the cost would be tho. I wonder if it would make it less maintinence intesive?
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