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I will have to think about this more.. but here's some questions for you.. or anyone that may know.
1. Did the F-22 do any CV testing? I can't imagine it did just being an AF jet.. so that rules that out for the Navy. (If they did.. then depending on how far it got, you're probably looking at 5-10 years to be able to go on a carrier.) (I know you didn't suggest this in your post.. just a question for the group.)
2. I know the Navy required the marines to buy a certain amount of F-35's to get onboard with the idea. I'm sure that the costs go up astronomically if the AF fell out.
As far as I know no prototype was made. However, design reached an advanced stage and blueprints made. The Sea Raptor would have been a swept-wing fighter. It looks gorgeous:
There is an article on it from an Aussie site. Though it would take a decade to field if the line started up again, it seems it would completely outclass the F-35 in every way the moment it took off despite being a couple decades behind in development. Despite the unique issues a CV presents, I don't think it would be as difficult as one might think to build this as we now have the benefit of 20 years of Gen 5 stealth fighter development and operations. The F-35's sensor and networking systems have served as a test-bed for what the Sea Raptor would be equipped with and by 2027 many of the software issues should be smoothed out. The F-22's structural issues and their solutions would be able to serve as a guideline. Many of the lessons have already been learned to make this aircraft work.
"This is what one would call a classic capability bargain with superior cost benefit for all (…except any opposing threats, of course). You take an already outstanding aircraft, and make it even more effective with an investment that is a tiny fraction of the cost of developing a whole new aircraft type or, for that matter, the money that still needs to be spent on trying to get the F-35B/C to meet its already surpassed specification...
The F/A-22N Sea Raptor renders the F-35C CV completely redundant, as it will provide around three times the capability of the F-35C at similar unit procurement costs, with a twin engine airframe better suited to naval operations. This would permit cancellation of the F-35C, never a favourite with professional naval aviators. The funding reserved for around 400 F-35Cs would buy a similar number of F/A-22Ns, producing the same commonality and economy of scale effects seen when the Air Force adopted the F-4C/D, while the Navy and Marines flew the F-4B. Should the Marines be equipped with the F/A-22N rather than the planned F-35B STOVL JSF, the total build numbers for both services could be as high as 680 aircraft. The F/A-22N provides, inherently, if not subjected to client or contractor induced cost and capability creep, much higher cross-variant commonality than the F-35 JSF does, driving down production costs with increasing build numbers much more effectively."
http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-NOTAM-230209-1.html
Designs for a CV of the YF-23 also reached an advanced stage. They look crazy.
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