The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is often described as the most advanced air superiority fighter ever built. Developed during the Cold War but entering service in the post-Cold War era, the F-22 combined stealth, supercruise, extreme maneuverability, and unmatched avionics into a single platform. Despite its limited numbers, the Raptor remains a cornerstone of U.S. air dominance and continues to influence fighter aircraft design worldwide.
Origins and Development
The F-22 program began in the 1980s under the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition, intended to replace the F-15 Eagle and counter new Soviet fighters such as the Su-27 Flanker and MiG-29 Fulcrum. Lockheed Martin, teamed with Boeing, won the competition over Northrop’s YF-23, leading to the first flight of the F-22 in 1997.
The aircraft entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 2005, introducing a new generation of stealth and air combat capabilities that no other nation had fielded at the time.
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Technical Features
Stealth
The F-22 is considered the stealthiest operational fighter in the world.
- Radar Cross-Section (RCS) is estimated to be as small as a metal marble, making it nearly invisible to enemy radars.
- Stealth is achieved through radar-absorbent materials (RAM), angled surfaces, and serpentine engine inlets that conceal the compressor blades.
- Internal weapons bays preserve low observability even when fully armed.
Engines and Supercruise
- Powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines, each producing 35,000 pounds of thrust with afterburners.
- Allows supercruise at Mach 1.8 without afterburners, giving it the ability to chase or evade threats more efficiently than any 4th-generation jet.
- Maximum speed is around Mach 2.25.
- Engines feature two-dimensional thrust-vectoring nozzles, enabling extreme agility and unique post-stall maneuvers.
Maneuverability
- The thrust-vectoring system allows the Raptor to perform maneuvers such as Pugachev’s Cobra and Kulbit turns with precision.
- Its thrust-to-weight ratio is greater than 1:1, meaning it can accelerate vertically with ease.
- Advanced fly-by-wire controls stabilize the aircraft in aggressive maneuvers that would otherwise be impossible.
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Avionics and Sensor Fusion
- Equipped with the AN/APG-77 AESA radar, which provides low probability of intercept and can track over 100 targets at ranges exceeding 200 km.
- The Raptor’s avionics combine radar, electronic warfare systems, infrared sensors, and data links into a single integrated picture for the pilot.
- Features sensor fusion that reduces pilot workload while enhancing decision-making.
- Secure Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL) allows Raptor-to-Raptor communication without detection by enemies.
Armament
- Air-to-Air Loadout:
- 6 × AIM-120 AMRAAM beyond-visual-range missiles
- 2 × AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range missiles
- Air-to-Ground Capability:
- Can carry 2 × 1,000 lb JDAM precision-guided bombs internally when configured for strike missions.
- Cannon:
- 20mm M61A2 Vulcan rotary cannon with 480 rounds for dogfights.
- Optional external hardpoints allow for fuel tanks or additional weapons but reduce stealth effectiveness.
Cockpit and Pilot Systems
- The cockpit features a glass cockpit layout with large multifunction displays.
- A helmet-mounted display was not initially included but has since been integrated through upgrades.
- Life-support system includes On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS), though it faced technical issues in early years.
Range and Endurance
- Combat radius: 800–1,000 km, extendable with aerial refueling.
- Ferry range: Around 3,000 km.
- The aircraft can remain on patrol longer than 4th-generation fighters thanks to efficient supercruise performance.
Operational History
Although it is one of the most advanced fighters in the world, the F-22 has seen limited combat. In 2014, Raptors carried out their first combat mission in Syria, striking ISIS targets with precision-guided bombs. They also serve regularly in deterrence roles, patrolling near areas of strategic importance such as the South China Sea, Eastern Europe, and Alaska.
Limitations and Controversies
- Production Halted: Only 187 combat Raptors were produced before production was stopped in 2012 due to cost overruns and shifting priorities after the Cold War.
- High Costs: Each jet cost about $150 million (flyaway cost), with a per-hour operating cost of around $68,000.
- No Exports: Congress banned foreign sales, even to close allies like Japan and Australia, to protect sensitive technology.
- Maintenance: Stealth coatings require significant upkeep, adding to the logistical burden.
Comparisons with Competitors
F-35 Lightning II (USA)
The F-35 is a multirole aircraft designed for strike, electronic warfare, and intelligence missions. It is less maneuverable than the F-22 but far more versatile. The F-22 is superior in air-to-air dominance, while the F-35 excels in networked operations and versatility.
Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon (China)
The J-20 is China’s flagship stealth fighter and a growing challenge to U.S. airpower. It has longer range and larger internal bays for missiles, but analysts suggest its stealth and agility lag behind the F-22. The J-20S twin-seat variant, however, provides unique drone-command capabilities that the F-22 does not possess.
Sukhoi Su-57 Felon (Russia)
Russia’s Su-57 emphasizes agility with thrust-vectoring engines and supermaneuverability. However, its stealth design is less advanced, and production numbers remain low. In a direct comparison, the F-22 maintains superiority in stealth and sensor integration.
Legacy and Importance
The F-22 Raptor remains the gold standard for air superiority, even nearly two decades after entering service. It forced global rivals to accelerate stealth fighter programs, leading to the J-20, Su-57, and other next-generation projects.
Although the U.S. has shifted focus to the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, expected to produce a 6th-generation fighter, the F-22 will remain in service into the 2030s as a vital part of America’s air combat capability.
Conclusion
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is not just another fighter jet—it is a technological icon. Combining stealth, speed, and maneuverability in ways never seen before, it remains unmatched in many respects. While expensive and produced in limited numbers, its legacy as the world’s first true 5th-generation fighter continues to shape air combat doctrine. The Raptor set the bar, and even today, no rival has completely surpassed it.