I'm probably going to tick some people off with my upcoming statement, so be warned.
The F-22 is NOT a super-sonic fighter jet. It is a super-sonic airshow demonstrator only. The F-22 has done NOTHING but appear at one airshow after another, much like an Extra 300 or Pitts Special...just a lot more expensive. The F-22 will not be a fighter jet until it is actually used in combat....until it actually FIGHTS. If the Air Force is only going to use the F-22 to do snazzy demonstration flights at air shows, why not just scrap the project, buy some nice affordable air show/acrobatic planes and be done with it. If the F-22 is a fighter jet, then pack it up, send it to Afghanistan and let it shoot some live rounds at some live targets. What's the point of spending BILLIONS of tax payer dollars to build the most advanced military aircraft EVER just to wow people at air shows?
Some people will say....The F-22 is an air superiority fighter and was not designed for ground attack roles that are needed in Afghanistan. Hello! The F-16 was an air superiority jet that has proven itself quite skilled at ground attack missions. The F-4 Phantom was an air superiority jet that proved itself very adept at ground attack. The F-15 was an air superiority jet that has proven itself to be very good for ground attack missions. I say strap some bunker busters onto the F-22 and let it earn its keep, otherwise scrap the project, spend the billions of dollars on education, improving the infrastructure in this country, buy a couple dozen acrobatic planes and go wow the crowds in them.
OBIO