The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter with supercruise capabilities and advanced avionics.
In brief
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter designed primarily for air superiority missions. Developed under the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, the F-22 incorporates cutting-edge technologies such as stealth, supercruise, and advanced avionics, making it one of the most capable fighter jets ever built. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines, it can achieve speeds of Mach 2.25 (2,414 km/h or 1,500 mph) and maintain supersonic flight without afterburners (supercruise). The F-22 boasts unmatched maneuverability, high situational awareness, and integrated sensors that provide a comprehensive battlefield picture. Its internal weapons bays preserve its stealth profile while carrying a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance. First flown in 1997 and introduced into service in 2005, the F-22 remains one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world, although its production has been halted.
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
The development of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor was driven by the strategic and technological challenges of the late Cold War period. By the 1980s, the United States faced the emergence of advanced Soviet aircraft and surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems that could challenge its air superiority. The U.S. Air Force sought to maintain its dominance in aerial combat by developing a next-generation fighter that could outperform Soviet aircraft, including the MiG-29 and Su-27, and operate in high-threat environments.
In 1981, the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program was launched by the U.S. Air Force with the goal of developing an aircraft that combined stealth, supercruise, agility, and advanced avionics. The primary objective was to create a fighter capable of gaining and maintaining air superiority while being highly survivable in contested airspaces. This aircraft would need to evade enemy radar detection, fly at supersonic speeds without afterburners, and engage both aerial and ground threats effectively.
Two main defense contractors, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, were selected to compete in the ATF program. Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Boeing and General Dynamics, proposed the YF-22, while Northrop Grumman developed the YF-23. After a series of flight evaluations, the YF-22 was chosen as the winner in 1991 due to its superior combination of agility, stealth, and system integration.
The geopolitical context during the development of the F-22 Raptor was also significant. With the end of the Cold War, defense budgets were shrinking, and many questioned the need for an expensive next-generation fighter. However, the U.S. Department of Defense maintained that technological advancements in Soviet aircraft and missile systems still posed a serious threat, justifying the continued development of the F-22. Despite the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the F-22 program moved forward.
The first prototype of the F-22 made its maiden flight on September 7, 1997, marking a key milestone in the development of the world’s first fifth-generation fighter. The aircraft was officially named the F-22 Raptor and entered service with the U.S. Air Force in December 2005. Although initially intended for large-scale production, the total number of F-22s produced was capped at 195 aircraft due to high costs, shifting defense priorities, and the emergence of other programs such as the F-35.
The F-22 Raptor does not have a NATO nickname, as it remains a unique and exclusive asset of the United States Air Force. Its stealth capabilities, supercruise ability, and advanced avionics have made it an iconic fighter jet, unmatched in air-to-air combat to this day.
History of the development of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
The origins of the F-22 Raptor trace back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, when advancements in Soviet fighter aircraft, such as the MiG-29 Fulcrum and the Su-27 Flanker, began to pose serious challenges to U.S. air superiority. The U.S. Air Force recognized that its existing fourth-generation fighters, such as the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon, could be outclassed by these new Soviet platforms. To address this, the U.S. Air Force launched the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program in 1981 with the goal of developing a fifth-generation fighter that could ensure continued air dominance.
The ATF program had specific requirements: the new fighter had to be stealthy to evade radar detection, capable of sustained supersonic flight without afterburners (supercruise), highly maneuverable, and equipped with advanced avionics for situational awareness and weapons targeting. The aircraft needed to be able to operate in contested airspaces and survive engagements against advanced enemy fighters and missile systems.
Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman were selected as the two main competitors in the ATF program. Lockheed Martin’s proposal, the YF-22, incorporated stealth technology, vectored thrust for enhanced maneuverability, and integrated avionics systems that provided unprecedented situational awareness. Northrop Grumman’s YF-23, while also stealthy and fast, was ultimately deemed less maneuverable than the YF-22, which led to the selection of the YF-22 as the winner of the ATF competition in 1991.
The YF-22 was refined into the F-22 Raptor, with the production model featuring improvements in stealth, avionics, and aerodynamics. The first production F-22 made its maiden flight in 1997. The aircraft was designed to replace the aging F-15 Eagle in the air superiority role, but it also had secondary capabilities for ground attack, electronic warfare, and intelligence gathering.
Despite the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the U.S. military argued that the F-22 was still necessary to maintain air superiority in the face of emerging threats from countries such as China and Russia. The development of advanced surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and the proliferation of fourth-generation fighters meant that the F-22’s stealth, supercruise, and maneuverability were still relevant.
However, the high cost of the F-22 program became a significant point of contention. Each F-22 cost approximately $150 million, not including research and development costs, making it one of the most expensive fighter jets ever built. As a result, the total production run was limited to 195 aircraft, far fewer than the original plan of 750. The decision to halt F-22 production was influenced by a combination of budget constraints, the increasing focus on multi-role capabilities (exemplified by the F-35 program), and the lack of a peer adversary after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The F-22 entered service in 2005, but its deployment was delayed by several technical issues, including problems with the avionics and the oxygen system for pilots. These issues were eventually resolved, and the F-22 became fully operational in 2007. Since then, it has been a critical asset for the U.S. Air Force, particularly in ensuring air dominance in any future conflict.
Design of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a twin-engine, fifth-generation air superiority fighter that was designed with stealth, agility, and advanced avionics as its core principles. The aircraft’s design incorporates several features that make it nearly invisible to radar and difficult to detect by infrared sensors.
The F-22’s airframe is made from a combination of radar-absorbent materials (RAM) and composite materials, which reduce its radar cross-section (RCS) to an estimated 0.0001 square meters, similar to the size of a bumblebee. The shape of the aircraft, with its angular surfaces and carefully designed air intakes, also minimizes radar reflections. The internal weapons bays further contribute to the aircraft’s stealth, as external weapons would significantly increase its radar signature.
The F-22’s dimensions are as follows: it is 62 feet 1 inch (18.9 meters) in length, with a wingspan of 44 feet 6 inches (13.56 meters) and a height of 16 feet 8 inches (5.08 meters). It has an empty weight of 43,340 lbs (19,700 kg) and a maximum takeoff weight of 83,500 lbs (37,800 kg). The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines, each providing 35,000 pounds (156 kN) of thrust. These engines feature thrust vectoring nozzles that allow the F-22 to achieve extraordinary maneuverability, enabling it to outturn and outmaneuver most other aircraft in a dogfight.
One of the key features of the F-22 is its ability to supercruise, or fly at sustained supersonic speeds without the use of afterburners. The F-22 can achieve speeds of Mach 1.8 (approximately 2,220 km/h or 1,380 mph) in supercruise, and its top speed is Mach 2.25 (2,414 km/h or 1,500 mph) when using afterburners. This gives the F-22 a significant speed advantage over many fourth-generation fighters, which rely on afterburners to achieve supersonic speeds and thus have shorter ranges and higher fuel consumption.
The aircraft’s avionics suite is another standout feature. The F-22 is equipped with a Northrop Grumman AN/APG-77 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which allows it to detect and track multiple targets at long ranges while remaining relatively stealthy. The radar’s low-probability-of-intercept mode makes it difficult for enemy aircraft to detect that they are being tracked. In addition to its radar, the F-22 has an advanced electronic warfare system, data fusion capabilities, and an integrated sensor suite that provides the pilot with a comprehensive view of the battlefield.
The F-22 also incorporates advanced cockpit design features, including a heads-up display (HUD) and multifunction displays (MFDs) that provide critical flight and targeting information. The pilot is seated in an ergonomically designed ejection seat that improves comfort and reduces fatigue during long missions.
Despite its many advantages, the F-22 does have some drawbacks. Its primary limitation is its high cost, both in terms of procurement and maintenance. The stealth coating, in particular, requires regular maintenance to maintain the aircraft’s low radar cross-section, adding to the overall operational cost. Additionally, the F-22 was not designed with a significant ground-attack capability, limiting its utility in multi-role missions compared to more versatile aircraft like the F-35.
Performance of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
The performance of the F-22 Raptor sets it apart from most other fighter jets currently in service. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines, the F-22 can achieve unmatched levels of speed, altitude, and maneuverability. Each engine produces 35,000 pounds (156 kN) of thrust, providing a total of 70,000 pounds of thrust, which gives the F-22 a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than 1:1, meaning it can accelerate vertically with ease.
The F-22’s top speed is Mach 2.25 (2,414 km/h or 1,500 mph) when using afterburners, and it can supercruise at Mach 1.8 (2,220 km/h or 1,380 mph). This ability to sustain supersonic flight without the use of afterburners is a key feature that gives the F-22 an edge in both combat and intercept missions.
The ability to supercruise gives the F-22 Raptor a significant operational advantage. While most fourth-generation fighters require afterburners to achieve supersonic speeds, which drastically increases fuel consumption, the F-22 can maintain high speeds over long distances without the need for afterburners. This allows it to engage or disengage from combat scenarios more effectively and cover vast operational areas without constantly needing to refuel. The operational range of the F-22 is approximately 1,839 miles (2,960 km) with internal fuel, and it can be extended using external fuel tanks, although the use of external tanks compromises its stealth capabilities.
The F-22’s service ceiling is 65,000 feet (19,812 meters), which allows it to operate at altitudes that many adversary aircraft and surface-to-air missile systems cannot reach. This high-altitude capability, combined with its stealth characteristics, gives the F-22 a significant advantage in both air-to-air engagements and deep penetration missions into hostile territory.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the F-22 is its thrust vectoring capability. The F-22 is equipped with thrust vectoring nozzles that can move up and down by 20 degrees, allowing it to perform high-angle-of-attack maneuvers that are impossible for most other fighter jets. This provides the F-22 with exceptional agility in dogfights, enabling it to outmaneuver enemy aircraft even at slow speeds or during high-G turns. The aircraft can perform post-stall maneuvers, such as the famous “Herbst maneuver” and “J-turn,” giving it a tactical edge in close-range air combat.
In terms of avionics, the F-22’s Northrop Grumman AN/APG-77 AESA radar is one of the most advanced radar systems in the world. It allows the aircraft to detect and track multiple targets at long ranges while maintaining a low probability of intercept, meaning that enemy aircraft are less likely to detect the radar emissions. This capability enables the F-22 to engage targets before being detected, giving it the first-strike advantage in most air combat scenarios.
The F-22’s situational awareness is further enhanced by its sensor fusion system, which integrates data from multiple sensors and sources to provide the pilot with a clear, comprehensive view of the battlespace. This system allows the F-22 to function as both a fighter and a battlefield management platform, directing other aircraft and assets during complex operations.
When compared to its competition, such as the Russian Su-57 and Chinese J-20, the F-22 Raptor excels in several key areas. Its combination of stealth, supercruise, and agility remains unmatched, although the Su-57 and J-20 have been designed with some similar capabilities. The Su-57, for example, is a highly maneuverable fighter with some stealth characteristics, but it lacks the same level of stealth and supercruise performance as the F-22. Similarly, the J-20 has advanced avionics and some stealth features, but its ability to engage in high-G maneuvers is less refined than that of the F-22, and its stealth is considered inferior.
Variants of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
The F-22 Raptor program primarily produced one variant, the base F-22A, designed for air superiority and limited ground attack capabilities. Unlike other fighter aircraft programs, the F-22 did not generate a large number of distinct variants due to the complexity and cost of its design, as well as the early cancellation of its production.
- F-22A: This is the standard production model of the F-22 and the only version to enter operational service with the U.S. Air Force. It is equipped with the full suite of stealth, supercruise, and advanced avionics capabilities and is optimized for air-to-air combat with secondary ground attack and electronic warfare capabilities. The F-22A can carry a variety of air-to-air missiles, including AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, as well as precision-guided bombs for ground targets.
- F-22B: A proposed two-seat variant of the F-22 Raptor, intended for training and tactical leadership roles. However, due to budget constraints and the decision to limit the production of the F-22, the F-22B was never developed beyond the concept stage.
- Naval Variant (NATF-22): There was an early concept to create a naval version of the F-22, designated the NATF-22, for use by the U.S. Navy as a carrier-based fighter. This version would have featured folding wings and reinforced landing gear for carrier operations. However, the NATF-22 program was canceled in the early 1990s due to cost considerations and the Navy’s preference for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Military use and combat of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
The F-22 Raptor was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, tasked with securing dominance in the skies against any potential adversary. Although it has not seen extensive combat in major conflicts, the F-22 has been deployed in various operational settings, proving its capabilities in both air-to-air and ground attack missions.
The F-22’s armament is tailored for its role as a stealthy, long-range interceptor. It is equipped with six internal weapons stations that preserve its stealth profile. These internal bays can carry six AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and two AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range missiles for air-to-air combat. Additionally, the F-22 has the capability to carry two 1,000 lb GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) for precision ground strikes. A 20mm M61A2 Vulcan rotary cannon is also mounted in the right wing root for close-range engagements, with a capacity of 480 rounds.
During combat operations, the F-22’s stealth and advanced radar systems give it the ability to engage enemy aircraft without being detected. In air-to-air combat, the F-22’s combination of stealth, speed, and advanced sensors allows it to detect and track enemy aircraft long before they are aware of its presence. This gives the F-22 a first-look, first-shot, first-kill advantage, enabling it to eliminate threats before they can retaliate.
One of the first operational deployments of the F-22 occurred in 2014 during Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led coalition campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The F-22 was used for precision strikes against high-value targets and leadership compounds. Its stealth capabilities allowed it to penetrate heavily defended areas without being detected, and its use of precision-guided munitions minimized collateral damage. While primarily an air superiority fighter, the F-22’s participation in these strikes demonstrated its versatility as a multi-role aircraft.
In terms of air-to-air combat, the F-22 has been used to deter and monitor potential adversaries during peacetime operations. It has regularly conducted intercepts of Russian and Chinese aircraft that approach U.S. airspace or operate near U.S. allies. These intercepts, often over the Pacific or near the Alaskan coast, serve as a reminder of the F-22’s ability to assert air dominance in critical regions.
The F-22 has also been involved in training exercises with allied air forces, where it has consistently outperformed fourth-generation aircraft in simulated combat scenarios. Exercises such as Red Flag, where U.S. and allied pilots engage in mock air battles, have showcased the F-22’s superiority. In these exercises, the F-22 has demonstrated kill ratios as high as 108:0, highlighting its effectiveness against both conventional and advanced adversaries.
The F-22’s ability to evade radar and engage multiple targets simultaneously makes it a critical component of U.S. air defense strategy. However, it is not without competition. The Russian Su-57 and Chinese J-20 are both fifth-generation fighters designed to challenge the F-22 in terms of stealth, speed, and combat effectiveness. While both the Su-57 and J-20 are formidable aircraft, they have yet to match the F-22’s combination of stealth, supercruise, and integrated avionics.
Despite its advantages, the F-22 Raptor has not been exported to any other country. U.S. federal law, specifically the Obey Amendment, prohibits the export of the F-22 to protect the advanced technologies it incorporates, particularly its stealth capabilities. As a result, the F-22 remains an exclusive asset of the U.S. Air Force, ensuring that no potential adversary gains access to its classified technology.
Although production of the F-22 ended in 2011, the aircraft remains in service with the U.S. Air Force and is expected to continue flying for decades. The F-22 has undergone several upgrades to its avionics, radar systems, and software to keep it operationally relevant. However, its high operating costs, along with the rise of the multi-role F-35 Lightning II, have led to discussions about the future role of the F-22 in the U.S. Air Force. While the F-35 is designed to complement the F-22 in many roles, the F-22 will likely continue to serve as the premier air superiority fighter for the U.S. well into the 2030s.
Back to the Fighter Jet section.