Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter is renowned for its capability and potential, but how ready for combat are they truly? The F-22 Raptor: what was pledged The F-22 Raptor is acclaimed as the most advanced air superiority fighter currently in service, with unparalleled air dominance and combat capacities. The United States Air Force views the F-22 Raptor as an immensely lethal combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics. The Raptor can execute both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, making it a vital component in US military strategy in the 21st century.

However, the truth remains that, until now, the F-22 has never been engaged in air-to-air combat, and we lack knowledge about its performance in actual combat operations. The issue with the F-22 Block 20 This month, the US Air Force has requested Congress to eliminate 32 F-22 Block 20 fighters from its 2024 budget, asserting that they cannot be employed in combat. Upgrading these fighters would necessitate a costly and protracted endeavor, adversely impacting Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II program. Lt. Gen. Richard Moore contends that the Block 20s lack the latest communications, weaponry, and electronic warfare capabilities, rendering them unsuitable for combat.

Retiring the 32 F-22 Raptors would yield savings of approximately $485 million per year, which could be allocated to the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. The expense of upgrading the F-22 Block 20 It is estimated that updating the F-22 Block 20 would incur a cost of around $3.5 billion and take a decade to complete. Additionally, it would burden Lockheed Martin, as resources would need to be reallocated from the F-35 Block 4 program to the F-22. Moore argues that upgrading the F-22 Block 20 is not a sensible decision, given the exorbitant cost and time required, which would impede the development of the F-35 Block 4.

The History of the F-22 Raptor The United States Air Force chose the F-22 Raptor as a result of the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program. Although it has never been employed in air-to-air combat, in 2014, F-22s carried out strikes in Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria. Originally, plans called for the acquisition of 750 F-22s, but the program was reduced to 187 operational aircraft in 2009 due to high costs, a lack of air-to-air missions at that time, and the development of the more cost-effective and versatile F-35 Lightning II. What lies ahead for the F-22? The decision to retire or retain the F-22 Block 20 and allocate resources to the NGAD program remains in the hands of Congress.

Meanwhile, the debate regarding the combat effectiveness and capability of the F-22 Raptor continues to be a contentious topic within the military and defense community. The US Air Force continues to seek new ways to enhance its capabilities and maintain air superiority. The F-22 Raptor may continue to evolve to meet the evolving needs of the 21st century. In summary Despite the F-22 Raptor’s reputation for unmatched combat capabilities, the reality is that many of these fighters are not prepared for combat. Upgrading the F-22 Block 20 would entail a costly and time-consuming endeavor, and Congress may choose to retire these aircraft and direct resources toward more modern and promising programs like NGAD. Only time will reveal how the role of the F-22 Raptor will evolve within America’s defense strategy.