What continuous F-22 production might have preserved

Would keeping the F-22 production line open at a low rate have been worthwhile?

Yes. An order of about twelve aircraft a year could have preserved production, spares, skills, and a continuing modernization path.

F-22 production provides an aviation parallel to continuous shipbuilding. An annual order of roughly twelve aircraft would deliver one a month while keeping the factory, workforce, and supplier network active. Successive airframes could receive gradual upgrades instead of leaving the fleet dependent on parts from a closed line. A low production rate can preserve industrial resilience even when ending procurement appears cheaper in the short term.