Regarded as a renowned fighter aircraft and a technological wonder in the battlefield, the Lockheed Martin F22 Raptor fighter jet has been granted continuous support and upgrades until 2031, prolonging its lifespan and potentially extending it to the 2060s.
The military has decided to keep the F22 in the frontline due to its impressive capabilities. To make the aircraft harder to detect than previous fighter designs, the F-22A’s design has emphasized creating an aircraft that is more difficult to detect, rather than merely incorporating S-shaped radar absorbers on the air intakes to minimize radar detection.
Unlike previous stealth aircraft, the F-22 can be maintained in conventional hangars and has a warning system (called the “Signature Assessment System”) that indicates when damage has occurred to the aircraft’s radar signal while in the air.
However, the F-22’s stealth coating can easily peel off in harsh climates or high-speed flying, reducing its stealth ability significantly. Thus, the F-22 requires more costly maintenance than a conventional aircraft.
In this video, we will examine the specifications of the Lockheed Martin F22 Raptor and the updates that have made it even more impressive in recent times, as well as exploring its future and the upgrades it will receive to make it a more viable fighter jet for the next 40 years.