F-22 Raptor

F-22 Raptor

The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a twin-engine, all-weather, supersonic stealth fighter aircraft developed in the United States. Designed under the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, the F-22 was primarily built for air superiority but also features capabilities for ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence. Lockheed Martin served as the prime contractor, handling most of the airframe construction, weapons systems, and final assembly, while Boeing contributed by developing the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems.

The F-22, which evolved from the Lockheed YF-22, first took flight in 1997 and underwent several designations, including F-22 and F/A-22, before officially entering service as the F-22A in December 2005. Initially, the U.S. Air Force planned to procure 750 of these advanced fighters to replace the F-15 Eagles. However, the order was reduced to 381 before being further cut to 195 aircraft—of which 187 were operational—by 2009. The program faced reductions due to high costs, limited air-to-air combat needs during production, and the introduction of the more cost-effective and multi-role F-35. The final F-22 was delivered in 2012.

The F-22 Raptor remains a vital asset in the U.S. Air Force's advanced tactical airpower. Despite challenges during its extended development and early operational phase, the aircraft has become the primary platform for air-to-air combat against near-peer adversaries. While originally designed for air superiority missions, the F-22 has also been deployed for strike operations and electronic surveillance, including combat missions in the Middle East targeting the Islamic State and Assad-aligned forces. The USAF intends to keep the F-22 in service as a key element of its fighter fleet until it is eventually replaced by the manned Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter.

Design

The F-22 Raptor, internally designated Configuration 645, is a fifth-generation air superiority fighter that the U.S. Air Force classifies as fourth-generation in stealth technology. It is the first operational aircraft to integrate supercruise, supermaneuverability, stealth, and advanced avionics (sensor fusion) into a single platform, enabling it to perform both offensive and defensive counter-air missions in highly contested environments.

The F-22’s design balances stealth and aerodynamics. Its planform and panel edges are aligned at specific angles, while curved surfaces reduce radar cross-section. The aircraft features clipped diamond-like delta wings with a 42° leading-edge sweep, 17° trailing-edge forward sweep, and a conical camber to minimize supersonic drag. The wings blend seamlessly with the fuselage, which includes four empennage surfaces and leading-edge root extensions. Control surfaces consist of leading-edge flaps, ailerons, flaperons, rudders on canted vertical stabilizers, and all-moving horizontal stabilators. To function as a speed brake, the ailerons deflect upward, flaperons move downward, and rudders extend outward, increasing drag. The aircraft employs area rule principles for optimal supersonic performance, positioning most of the fuselage volume ahead of the wing’s trailing edge. The stabilators pivot from tail booms behind the engine nozzles. For stealth, weapons are housed internally, and the jet is equipped with a retractable tricycle landing gear and an emergency tailhook. A fire suppression system and fuel tank inerting system enhance survivability.

The F-22 is powered by dual Pratt & Whitney F119 augmented turbofan engines, featuring rectangular two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles that adjust ±20 degrees in pitch and are integrated with the flight controls and vehicle management system. Each engine includes dual-redundant Hamilton Standard full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) and delivers a maximum thrust of approximately 35,000 lbf (156 kN). The aircraft achieves a thrust-to-weight ratio close to unity at combat weight and 1.25 with full afterburner. The fixed shoulder-mounted caret inlets are positioned to divert turbulent airflow, ensuring efficient supersonic compression. The F-22 reaches speeds of Mach 1.8 in supercruise and exceeds Mach 2 with afterburners. It carries 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) of internal fuel, with an additional 8,000 lb (3,629 kg) in two external 600-gallon tanks, achieving a ferry range exceeding 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi; 2,960 km). A refueling boom receptacle is centered on the aircraft’s spine, and an auxiliary power unit is embedded in the left wing root.

The F-22’s high-speed cruise capability and altitude improve sensor range, weapon effectiveness, and survivability against threats like surface-to-air missiles. Supercruise enables it to intercept targets beyond the reach of afterburner-dependent aircraft. Internal weapons storage reduces parasitic drag, maintaining superior performance over fighters with external payloads. The aircraft’s thrust and aerodynamics support sustained combat speeds of Mach 1.5 at 50,000 feet (15,000 m), increasing air-to-air missile range by 50% and doubling the effective range of JDAMs. The F-22’s airframe includes high-strength materials for durability under supersonic flight stress. Titanium alloys and bismaleimide/epoxy composites account for 42% and 24% of its structural weight, respectively, providing both structural integrity and ballistic survivability.

Operational history

The 43rd Fighter Squadron was reactivated in 2002 as the F-22 Formal Training Unit (FTU) at Tyndall Ai

r Force Base (AFB), providing basic training for the aircraft. The first F-22 designated for pilot training was delivered in September 2003. Following extensive damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018, the squadron and its aircraft were relocated to Eglin AFB. Initially, concerns arose over potential losses due to storm damage, but all affected jets were eventually repaired and flown out. In 2023, the FTU and its aircraft were reassigned to the 71st Fighter Squadron at Langley AFB.

As of 2014, B-Course students require 38 sorties to graduate, reduced from the previous 43. Track 1 course pilots, transitioning from other aircraft, saw a similar reduction from 19 to 12 sorties. Initial training for F-22 pilots starts on the T-38 Talon trainer, with additional sessions on the F-16 due to the T-38's inability to sustain high G-forces or replicate modern avionics. Since no current trainer can accurately simulate the F-22, the USAF frequently uses F-22s for training, a costly measure since the aircraft's operational cost per flight hour is nearly ten times that of the T-38. The upcoming T-7 Red Hawk, designed with modern avionics more aligned with the F-22 and F-35, is set to achieve initial operational capability in 2027, although it has faced delays. To reduce F-22 operating costs and preserve its service life, some pilot training sorties are conducted using flight simulators. In 2014, the USAF established the 2nd Fighter Training Squadron at Tyndall AFB, equipping it with T-38s to serve as adversary aircraft, minimizing the need for F-22s in aggressor training. Advanced F-22 weapons training takes place at the USAF Weapons School, conducted by the 433rd Weapons Squadron at Nellis AFB.

Introduction into Service

Before entering operational service, the F-22 underwent extensive testing. The first production aircraft was delivered to Edwards AFB in October 2002 for Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E), while the first jet for the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB arrived in January 2003. However, IOT&E faced multiple delays, primarily due to issues with mission avionics stability. A preliminary assessment, known as Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) Phase 1, took place before formal IOT&E began in April 2004. Testing was completed by December 2004, successfully demonstrating the F-22’s air-to-air mission capability, though maintenance demands were higher than anticipated. Follow-On OT&E (FOT&E) in 2005 confirmed the aircraft’s effectiveness in air-to-ground missions.

The first combat-ready F-22 assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing arrived at Langley AFB, Virginia, in January 2005. In December of that year, the USAF announced the aircraft had achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the 94th Fighter Squadron. The unit participated in Exercise Northern Edge 06 in Alaska in June 2006 and Exercise Red Flag 07–2 at Nellis AFB in February 2007. During Red Flag, the F-22 demonstrated superior air combat capabilities against Red Force Aggressor F-15s and F-16s, achieving a simulated kill ratio of 108–0. These exercises helped refine the F-22’s operational tactics and combat employment.

The F-22 reached Full Operational Capability (FOC) in December 2007, when General John Corley of Air Combat Command (ACC) officially declared the 1st Fighter Wing and the Virginia Air National Guard’s 192d Fighter Wing fully mission-capable. An Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) conducted in April 2008 rated the integrated wing “excellent” in all categories, achieving a simulated kill ratio of 221–0. With its precision strike capability, the F-22 played a role in retiring the F-117 from operational service in 2008. The 49th Fighter Wing briefly operated the F-22 before fleet consolidations were implemented to reduce long-term costs. In 2018, the Government Accountability Office recommended further fleet consolidations to enhance aircraft availability and pilot training.

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