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The article reports that the production of Lockheed Martin Corp.'s stealth fighter lines may be interrupted by unfriendly congressional funding and poor export prospects of F-22. The chances of securing congressional approval of a three-year contract for a batch of 60 U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors continues to be bleak. U.S. Senate heavyweights remain ranged against the F-22 multiyear purchase , as also Japan accepting the price structure of the F 22 aircrafts.

The article focuses on issues confronting Japan in pursuing its F-X fighter competition. Contenders are expecting that a request for proposal will be launched by the end of 2009 or in the first quarter of 2010. If the proposal is not released, it is expected that the program will again experience a further 12-month delay. Four of five candidates emerged as potential contenders for the program and these include Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor, Eurofighter's Typhoon and Boeing's F-15.