The United States Air Force's ultra hi-tech F-22 Raptor combat jet will not be appearing at this week's Paris Air Show, aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin announced on June 15th, in a statement likely to dismay many. The withdrawal was linked to airframe availability, Lockheed Martin spokesman Christopher Trippick explained, adding no additional information.

While a frequent participant at airshows across the United States, the F-22's appearances outside of home soil have been extremely limited, although in 2008 one was presented at the Farnborough Air Show during the type's initial European tour.

Air Superiority Fighter

The F-22 Raptor is a 21st century air superiority fighter that was introduced into USAF service in 2005. According to the latest available information, 139 examples now serve with the air arm across 12 squadrons. The type incorporates significant radar image-reducing stealth technology and, reacting to the news, some European aerospace figures wondered whether its Paris no-show was related to fears that too much classified information on it would be given away.

In 1991, the Paris Air Show hosted the first F-117 Nighthawk 'Stealth Fighter' appearance to be made at an airshow outside of the US. At the next Paris Air Show in 1993, no US types appeared at all - the result of a boycott by the then-Bill Clinton-led US Presidency.

An unnamed defence official - who requested that his identity be kept private - highlighted reports that the French government had been monitoring the aircraft's approach into Le Bourget (the French airport which hosts the Paris event) via radar, and that this had caused concern back in the US.

USAF Raptor Fleet

Two months ago, President Obama announced that just four more airframes were destined to join the present USAF Raptor fleet, meaning production would come to an end. A ban is currently in place prohibiting foreign F-22 sales, although a number of US lawmakers are trying to get this overturned.

Commenting on the withdrawal, some executives suggested that, from the US' perspective, it would not be wise to show off this aircraft at what is one of the aerospace industry's premier events, when the type isn't for sale.

The Paris Air Show/ International Air Salon has now been running for 100 years - so dates back almost to the birth of aviation itself. Prior to the 2009 event, it was expected that defence issues would take precedence over commercial aviation, which is suffering more from the global financial downturn at present.

To find out more about this aircraft, please click on Armed Forces International's F-22 Raptor project page.