Now if they can only get the aircraft to stop trying to asphyxiate it’s pilot… Seriously though I suspect the need for F-22’s in any likely force on force engagement can be met by the existing number of airframes. Stealth is not the be all end all that many like to think, especially WVR. I do recall hearing an interesting comment though a while back somewhere (probably by a layperson, like myself, so don’t put any stock in it). A major part of the cost and complexity of the F-22 is the stealthy nature of it, the materials, maintenance and fragility of the thing. Stealth is only one of the advantages of the F-22. It is also QUITE maneuverable and has the non-trivial ability to super-cruise. What about the development of a variant aircraft that did away with the stealthy aspects of the F-22 (making it look like and probably be designated as a different design)? Keep and/or improve the structural, electronic and performance aspects while not having to pay for the stealth. Make as many parts as possible common to both, but have a lower cost version to do those jobs that don’t require stealth but where a significant improvement on the F-15 is desired. I know it will never happen and there are probably lots of problems with the notion, but it’s amusing to wonder.