Lockheed Martin could see more F-22 orders in Q1

[tigershark]

Lockheed Martin could see more F-22 orders in Q1
By Christopher Hinton

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Lockheed Martin Corp.  (LMT:
Lockheed Martin Corporation (Holding Company)

LMT 80.98, -4.10, -4.8%) is optimistic it will receive a full-lot order of 20 F-22 Raptor fighter jets sometime in the first quarter, said its Chief Financial Officer Bruce Tanner in an interview with MarketWatch. The F-22 has been criticized by some members of Congress as inappropriate given the challenges of contemporary warfare. However, there's been speculation Congress will back the program as it worries over increasing unemployment. CFO Tanner said Lockheed recently received funding for four additional Raptors, and may receive a decision on the 16 additional jets before the end of the first quarter. At about 18 to 20 planes being manufactured a year, the Raptor program depends on about 95,000 aerospace workers and subcontractors, Tanner said. The planes cost in the neighborhood of $130 million each, not including development expenses. End of Story

Source
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/lockheed-martin-could-see-more/story.aspx?guid={CCD112EC-F062-4326-B778-4FD952F7EB55}

[F-111 C/C]

20 is a lot less than was originally planned but it's 20 planes (maybe more) nonetheless. Some pundits want to cancel the whole program.

[tigershark]

At least it keeps the production lines open and we don't lose key personnel.  A striker or F-15E type of F-22 might be needed to make sure this platform has a long future.  Air to air is so rare that's why I think the F-35 is going to do so well even know some people throw it to the dogs even before it's operational. 

[F-111 C/C]

Plans for the F-22 in a Strike Fighter role have been on again, off again (dubbed the FB-22). It was planned using the foward fuselage of the F-22 but on a delta wing or double-delta wing configuration to utilize more load carrying capability. Last I heard it was cancelled (again).