4. Lockheed Proposed Development of an F-22 With F-35 Technology
In August 2018, Lockheed Martin silently pitched a derivative of the F-22 to the United States Air Force (USAF). The alternative design would include structural changes to the F-22’s airframe as well as furnished with the F-35’s stealth coating and additional mission avionics. Early in that year Lockheed purportedly showed interest in a hybrid that would combine the F-22 stealth along with the F-35 network capabilities as well as willingness to work with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The USAF rejected the proposal, and the JSADF questioned the cost and the F-22 Export restrictions.