F-22 Raptor: The 5th-Gen Fighter Jet That US Won't Sell
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The US-built F-22 Raptor, developed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing, is a top fifth-generation fighter jet with stealth, supercruise, and unmatched agility
In an era where warfare is increasingly defined by speed, stealth, and supremacy in the skies, fifth-generation fighter jets have become the ultimate symbols of military might. As nations race to outpace one another in aerospace technology, the United States, China, and Russia lead the charge, each wielding their own cutting-edge aircraft. But among them, one machine continues to soar above the rest, the US-built F-22 Raptor.
Developed jointly by Lockheed Martin and Boeing, the F-22 Raptor was first tested in 1997 and officially inducted into the US Air Force by 2005. With a minuscule radar cross-section, the F-22 is nearly invisible to enemy radar systems, allowing it to infiltrate hostile airspace undetected.
Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines generating a combined 70,000 pounds of thrust, the jet is capable of 'supercruise", sustained supersonic flight without the use of fuel-guzzling afterburners. It cruises at speeds exceeding Mach 1.5 (approximately 1,850 km/h) and can climb to altitudes over 50,000 feet.
Its agility in the air is unmatched, thanks to thrust vectoring technology that allows the jet to pivot and roll with astonishing precision. In dogfights, this maneuverability makes it nearly impossible to pin down.
Equipped with the AN/APG-77 radar, the jet can detect and track enemies at long range. With sensor fusion technology, it delivers a 360-degree battlefield view to its pilot, offering a critical edge in complex air combat situations.
Weapons-wise, the Raptor carries a lethal mix. It can house six AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, two AIM-9 Sidewinders, a 1,000-pound GBU-32 JDAM smart bomb, and a 20mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon with 480 rounds, making it equally deadly against both airborne and ground threats.
The F-22 was designed for air superiority. It's faster, topping Mach 2.25 (nearly 2,700 km/h), and more agile due to its advanced thrust vectoring. The F-35, on the other hand, is a versatile, multi-role combat aircraft tailored for a broader range of missions: air-to-ground strikes, electronic warfare, and intelligence gathering.
It comes in three variants for the Air Force (F-35A), Marines (F-35B for vertical landing), and Navy (F-35C for carrier operations). Though slower and less nimble, the F-35's strength lies in its adaptability and digital warfare capabilities, including its AN/APG-81 radar and Electro-Optical Targeting System.
Despite its staggering capabilities, the F-22 remains exclusive to the United States. In 1998, Congress enacted a strict ban on its export, citing the need to safeguard its highly classified stealth and avionics systems. The fear? That this top-tier technology might fall into adversarial hands.
Indeed, those fears weren't unfounded. In 2016, China was caught attempting to steal design blueprints of the F-22, F-35, and C-130 transport aircraft. Since then, Washington has doubled down on keeping the Raptor within American borders.
Allies such as Japan, Israel, and Australia have repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring the F-22. In one case, Lockheed Martin even proposed a hybrid model combining features of the F-22 and F-35 for Japan. But concerns over cost and export laws killed the deal. Instead, the US has promoted the more widely available – and export-friendly – F-35, which shares some DNA with the Raptor but lacks its specialised air dominance pedigree.
India recently greenlit its own 5th-gen Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. While promising, it remains years away from operational deployment. For now, India, like many others, watches from the sidelines as the trio of aerial superpowers – the US, China, and Russia – unfold their futuristic wings.
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