Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor air supremacy fighter is renowned for its potential and assurance, but how battle-ready are they truly? The F-22 Raptor: what was pledged The F-22 Raptor is acclaimed as the most advanced air supremacy fighter presently in service, with unparalleled air dominance and combat capabilities. The United States Air Force regards the F-22 Raptor as an immensely lethal fusion of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics. The Raptor can carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, making it a crucial component in US military strategy in the 21st century.

However, the fact remains that, thus far, the F-22 has never participated in air-to-air combat, and its performance in actual combat operations remains unknown. 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, arguing that they cannot be utilized in combat. Upgrading these fighters would necessitate a costly and protracted endeavor, negatively impacting Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II program. Lt. Gen. Richard Moore contends that the Block 20s lack the most recent communications, weaponry, or electronic warfare capabilities, rendering them unsuitable for combat. Retiring the 32 F-22 Raptors would yield an approximate annual savings of $485 million, which could be allocated to the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

The cost of upgrading the F-22 Block 20 It is estimated that upgrading the F-22 Block 20 would incur a cost of approximately $3.5 billion and require a decade of work. Additionally, it would burden Lockheed Martin, as it would necessitate reallocating resources from the F-35 Block 4 program to the F-22. Moore argues that upgrading the F-22 Block 20 is impractical due to the exorbitant cost, time required, and the impact it would have on 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, F-22s conducted strikes in Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria in 2014. Originally planning to procure 750 F-22s, the program was scaled down to 187 operational aircraft in 2009 due to high costs, a lack of air-to-air missions at the time, and the emergence of the more affordable 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 rests with Congress. Meanwhile, the debate concerning 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 explore new avenues to enhance its capabilities and maintain air supremacy. 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 unrivaled combat capabilities, the reality is that many of these fighters are not prepared for battle. Upgrading the F-22 Block 20 would entail a costly and protracted endeavor, and Congress may choose to retire these aircraft and direct resources towards 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.