The United States sells the F-35 Lightning II to its allies due to its foundational design as a multinational program aimed at fostering interoperability and sharing development costs. In stark contrast, the F-22 Raptor is not exported because it was specifically conceived for exclusive domestic use, incorporating highly classified technologies and unique production methods the U.S. government deems vital to keep proprietary.
The F-22 Raptor: A Domestic Guardian
The F-22 Raptor stands as a testament to American air superiority, but its capabilities are reserved solely for the U.S. Air Force. Unlike the vast majority of U.S. military aircraft, the F-22 was specifically conceived and developed for exclusive use by the United States. This unique design philosophy meant it was never intended for sale to foreign nations.
Several critical reasons underpin this restrictive policy:
- Highly Classified Technology: The F-22 is packed with cutting-edge stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and integrated sensor fusion that represent the pinnacle of U.S. aerospace engineering. Sharing this technology could compromise the U.S.'s technological edge against potential adversaries.
- Advanced Production Methodologies: Its construction involves sophisticated and secret production techniques that the United States would rather keep close to the chest, ensuring these methods remain proprietary.
- Maintaining Strategic Advantage: Exporting the F-22 could risk sensitive information falling into the wrong hands or being reverse-engineered, diminishing its effectiveness and the U.S.'s strategic advantage.
- Congressional Ban: A specific congressional ban reinforces the policy, legally prohibiting the export of the F-22 Raptor.
The F-35 Lightning II: A Global Partnership
In stark contrast, the F-35 Lightning II was conceptualized from its inception as a collaborative, multinational project known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. This program involved significant investment and input from various allied nations from its earliest stages, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and several European countries.
The primary motivations for the F-35's exportability include:
- Interoperability: The F-35 is designed to be a common platform for numerous allied air forces, naval aviation, and marine corps, fostering unprecedented interoperability and cohesion in joint operations.
- Cost-Sharing and Economies of Scale: Developing a fifth-generation fighter is immensely expensive. By involving multiple nations, the U.S. could share the development costs and achieve greater economies of scale in production, making the aircraft more affordable for all participants.
- Strengthening Alliances: Selling the F-35 to key allies strengthens defense partnerships and provides partner nations with advanced capabilities tailored to their specific needs (e.g., the F-35A for conventional takeoff, F-35B for short takeoff/vertical landing, and F-35C for carrier operations).
- Strategic Export Control: While incredibly advanced, the F-35's export version can be configured with varying levels of technology access, allowing the U.S. to control the most sensitive components while still providing a highly capable platform to allies.
Key Differences at a Glance
The divergent philosophies behind the F-22 and F-35 programs are best understood by comparing their core design and strategic objectives:
| Feature | F-22 Raptor (Learn More) | F-35 Lightning II (Learn More) |
|---|---|---|
| Export Status | Not exported; exclusively for the U.S. military | Widely exported to allied nations globally |
| Design Intent | Primarily designed for U.S. domestic air superiority and national defense | Designed from the outset as a multinational program for partner nations |
| Technology | Incorporates highly classified and sensitive technologies, unique to U.S. | Features advanced technology, with export versions deemed suitable for allied sharing |
| Production | Utilizes advanced, confidential production methodologies | Scaled for broader production with international partners |
| Primary Role | Dominant air superiority fighter | Multirole fighter: air-to-air, air-to-ground, reconnaissance |
| Program Type | Solely a U.S. national defense program | A cornerstone international collaborative defense program |
