The F-22 does some fantastic things. It can also be variable on its sustainment experience.
For dry environments they have been able to get 100 percent mission capable "MC"-rates on "Squadron" (really a package) deployments (guess where?) for up to about 30 days. That is about as far as they can push it without going to the L.O. barn. Wet environments (um...you know... Pacific pivot?) Not so good. There are also some fatigue issues where we will be lucky to see F-22s out to 2030.
2030, in aircraft development time-lines, especially a moribund DOD/USAF management experience like today, is not that far off.
F-22 production was stopped in part, because it competed for F-35 funding.
After USAF gets rid of the A-10, the KC-10, more F-15s and F-16s and anything else they can grab, to keep F-35 funding propped up, they will look at the F-22.
My nomination for this is the year 2020.
I have been wrong before.
It could be sooner.
The USAF is getting eaten alive by bad management decisions and personnel issues that cost billions.
USAF and its Sith Lord allies, will continue to insist that buying a few dozen F-35s per year is needed.
No matter what.
Above all else.
Consider most existing airframe communities in the USAF as a threat to the F-35s future.
USAF will do anything to eliminate that threat.
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