Well, it appears that there some significant costs to canceling the F-22 at just 4 more aircraft, (paid subscription required) instead of the full 20.

If the US government does not buy the remaining 16, Lockheed could be due $147 million in cancellation fees.

Let’s see….16 additional aircraft, costing somewhere between $138 million (Air Force figures) and $300 million (critics figure), instead of paying a penalty of $147 million.

If you canceled the program, and put garlic in its mouth, and a stake through its heart, and burnt it, and took half that money and bought advanced F-16s with EASA radar, like we are selling to…well, anyone who wants one…You could have 20 F-16s.

Get out the garlic, rosewood, and torches.