In a potential boost for Fort Worth-based Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, the Air Force is pressing to extend production of the F-22 Raptor for at least one year beyond the planned termination early in the next decade, a top Air Force acquisition official said Monday.

The Air Force wants to buy an additional 20 Raptors in the 2010 fiscal year, boosting the service's total purchase to 203 F-22s, said Ken Miller, special assistant to Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne.

A plan approved by Congress this year calls for 60 F-22 purchases through 2009, 20 a year. Unless extended beyond that point, F-22 production is slated to end in 2011 as Lockheed Martin accelerates production of the F-35 joint strike fighter, which is scheduled to make its first flight within weeks.

Air Force officials, who originally wanted more than 700 F-22s, have been open about their dissatisfaction with the latest cap of 183 and have continually insisted that they need at least 381 of the stealthy twin-engine fighters to maintain U.S. air superiority. But this is the first time the service has publicly outlined its hopes to raise the ceiling.

Miller told the Star-Telegram that the Air Force would make the request in the 2008 defense budget that would go to Congress in early February. The request would have to win approval from senior Pentagon officials and ultimately Congress.

"We've got a long way to go," Miller said. "So that's our plan and we're going to press forward."

Miller also discussed the plans in an appearance at the Reuters Defense & Aerospace summit. Lockheed Martin's stock nudged upward after the news agency reported the story.

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