The F-22 Raptor: America’s Stealth Air Superiority Fighter

The F-22 Raptor is one of the most advanced fighter aircraft ever built. Designed by Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force, the F-22 combines stealth, speed, agility, and advanced avionics into a single, formidable platform.

In this article, we explore the history, capabilities, and unique features of the F-22 Raptor — and why it remains unmatched in the skies more than two decades after its introduction.

Origins and Development

The story of the F-22 Raptor began during the Cold War, when the U.S. sought to develop a next-generation air superiority fighter capable of countering future threats from the Soviet Union.

In 1981, the U.S. Air Force launched the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program. The goal was to create a stealth fighter with supercruise capabilities, superior maneuverability, and integrated avionics.

Two companies submitted prototypes:

YF-22 by Lockheed Martin
YF-23 by Northrop/McDonnell Douglas

After extensive testing, the YF-22 was selected in 1991, and Lockheed Martin began development of the production aircraft, later designated the F-22 Raptor.

First Flight and Service Entry

The first flight of the F-22 occurred on September 7, 1997. After years of testing and refinement, it officially entered service in 2005.

Originally, the U.S. Air Force planned to acquire 750 F-22s, but due to high costs and shifting defense priorities, the program was scaled back. Production ended in 2012, with 187 operational Raptors delivered.

Key Features of the F-22 Raptor

The F-22 was the world’s first fifth-generation fighter, and it introduced a range of cutting-edge technologies that remain impressive even today.

1. Stealth Capabilities

The F-22 is designed with stealth in mind:

Internal weapons bays to reduce radar signature
Radar-absorbent materials (RAM) and coatings
Shaped surfaces that deflect radar waves
Reduced infrared emissions for lower heat signature

These features allow it to operate undetected in contested environments, striking before the enemy even knows it's there.

2. Supercruise and Speed

The F-22 can fly at supersonic speeds (Mach 1.5+) without using afterburners — a feature known as supercruise. This allows it to cover ground quickly while conserving fuel and maintaining stealth.

Its top speed is estimated to exceed Mach 2, though exact figures are classified.

3. Extreme Maneuverability

Thanks to thrust-vectoring engines and advanced flight control systems, the F-22 can perform maneuvers no other fighter can match — such as tight turns, sudden stops, and high-angle attacks — giving it a major advantage in dogfights.

4. Advanced Avionics and Sensor Fusion

The Raptor is equipped with:

AN/APG-77 AESA radar (active electronically scanned array)
Integrated sensor fusion, combining data from radar, infrared, and other systems
Secure datalinks and cockpit displays that give the pilot real-time battlefield awareness

These systems allow the pilot to detect, track, and engage multiple targets simultaneously.

5. Weapons Loadout

The F-22 carries weapons internally to maintain its stealth profile. Its standard loadout includes:

AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for air-to-air combat
500 lb JDAM bombs or Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs) for ground targets
M61A2 20mm cannon for close-range combat

Why the F-22 Was Never Exported

Despite its impressive capabilities, the F-22 was never exported. U.S. law prohibited the sale of the Raptor to foreign countries to protect its sensitive technology. Allies like Japan and Australia expressed interest, but were denied.

Instead, many allied nations acquired the F-35 Lightning II, a more affordable and multirole stealth fighter developed later by Lockheed Martin.

Operational Use and Missions

Although the F-22 was designed primarily for air superiority, it also performs:

Ground attack missions
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)
Escort and air patrol missions in contested regions

It has been deployed to:

The Middle East for combat air patrols
Eastern Europe for NATO support
Pacific regions for deterrence and training exercises

Limitations and Criticisms

While the F-22 is highly capable, it has not been without criticism:

High cost per unit (estimated over $150 million each)
Expensive maintenance and logistical needs
Short production run, which limits fleet size
No in-flight data sharing with older aircraft (now partially addressed)

Despite these drawbacks, its performance remains unmatched in air-to-air combat.

Legacy and Future

The F-22 Raptor set the standard for modern air combat and inspired the development of other fifth-generation fighters like the F-35, China’s J-20, and Russia’s Su-57.

As of 2025, the F-22 remains a vital part of U.S. air dominance strategy, although discussions about its eventual replacement — known as Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) — are already underway.

Conclusion

The F-22 Raptor is more than a fighter jet — it's a technological marvel, a symbol of American air power, and a glimpse into the future of warfare. Even two decades after its debut, it remains the most formidable air superiority fighter in the world.

Its combination of stealth, speed, agility, and situational awareness ensures that the F-22 Raptor will stay relevant for years to come.

The F-22 Raptor: America’s Stealth Air Superiority Fighter