Though I don't have the exact details on the F-22 design, it is quite common for a unit to be tagged 'pre-researched' in a number of regions, as the plants can be spread across the country. Some regions may have only the pre-requisites researched (ie, stealth technologies), but would have to finish the research of the design itself. Other regions would have to start from scratch.
We attempted to match up the research details with real-world data on where the factories are, and what they made.
Crazy, huh?
Regarding the issue of "starting in South Africa, and taking over the world..." it should also be noted that as you move up the campaign tree, at the easy and normal difficulty settings, you gain access to the technologies of your entire region as you move up. So if you start as the Congo, if you manage to gain control of all of Africa, you'll end up with all of the South African designs available to research, as well as Libya, Morroco, etc. Still might not give you a stealth fighter, of course
, but it gives you more options. (The harder difficulty levels do NOT give this benefit, though, and require you to buy/trade or build your own stuff).
-- George.
