JAPAN WANTS A "HYBRID" F-22/F-35?
Can we mash these together and make a baby? Unfortunately for fighter buffs, it appears as though Japan may discontinue its homegrown 5th generation fighter plans . Despite a relatively successful run of its ATD-X, Tokyo has balked at the overwhelming cost of developing it into a combat-ready production model. The decision is not yet final , but there seems to be little hope left for the " Shinshin ". While Japan is already on the list to receive the F-35, the JSF has always been considered a consolation price for not getting the F-22 . Unfortunately for Japan, US law forbade any Raptor exports. While many would argue that the F-35 is "good enough" it may have a hard time facing Russia's Su-57 and China's J-20 . This has left Japan pining for a high performance air-superiority fighter to replace its aging F-15J fleet. So what is Japan to do? Like a superhero leaping into action (or a vulture swooping in) Lockheed Martin is there . ...