The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II was designed as a multirole fighter that can accommodate different weapon load-outs to suit different missions. It was specifically engineered with the ability to launch massive air attacks on air-to-air and air-to-ground targets depending on the situation at hand. The different weapon layouts are meant to accommodate a range of tactical scenarios.
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That includes a “First Day of War” loadout that is meant to preserve its “stealth” configuration; while as a conflict enters the “Third Day of War” – after an adversary’s hostile anti-air systems including sensors, air defense missiles, gun systems, and enemy aircraft are eliminated – the F-35 will no longer need to rely on its stealth. Then it can operate via its “beast mode” or “bomb truck” mode. In this case, it can deploy with externally-mounted weapons – but will of course have a much larger radar footprint.
So how does Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor compare?
The F-22 Raptor – named for those birds of prey that primarily hunt and feed on vertebrates – was the first aircraft to successfully employ a combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics. Coupled with improved supportability, it represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities. Though it is primarily an air-superiority fighter, the Raptor can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
As noted by the United States Air Force, the F-22 certainly has a significant capability to attack surface targets. In its air-to-ground configuration, the Raptor can carry two 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions internally and will use onboard avionics for navigation and weapons delivery support. In addition, the future air-to-ground capability will be greatly enhanced with the addition of an upgraded radar and up to eight small-diameter bombs – while the Raptor will also carry two AIM-120s and two AIM-9s in the air-to-ground configuration.
The F-22 would thus be the type of aircraft that could play a significant role as a “Day One” fighter, where it could escort the B-2 Spirit bomber – and if the fighter remains in service long enough, the B-21 Raider. It would be able to penetrate enemy radar, clear the sky from enemy fighters, and aid in the destruction of enemy surface-to-air missiles. To perform the air-to-ground mission the F-22 carries two 1,000-pound-class GBU-32 (or two 250-pound GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb in place of two AIM-120) Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), two AIM-120 (in the main weapon bays) and two AIM-9 missiles (in the side weapon bays).
Despite its capabilities, the Raptor can’t actually operate in “beast mode” – at least not the way the F-35 Lightning II can. Yet, it still can carry more missiles in its three internal weapon bays than the F-35 in stealth mode. In addition, the F-22 has the ability to fly for sustained periods supersonically, and can do so without using afterburners. The Raptor thus has can carry more missiles, and due to its higher speed and altitude, it can impact more energy onto them when firing that the F-35.
In that way, the Raptor always operates as quite the beast.
A 1st Fighter Wing’s F-22 Raptor from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., pulls into position to accept fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 756th Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, Md., off the east coast on May 10, 2012. The first Raptor assigned to the Wing arrived Jan. 7, 2005. This aircraft was allocated as a trainer, and was docked in a hanger for maintenance personnel to familiarize themselves with its complex systems. The second Raptor, designated for flying operations, arrived Jan. 18, 2005. On Dec. 15, 2005, Air Combat Command commander, along with the 1 FW commander, announced the 27th Fighter Squadron as fully operational capable to fly, fight and win with the F-22.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Paul Lopez, F-22 Demo Team commander, performers aerial maneuvers July 14, 2019, at the “Mission Over Malmstrom” open house event on Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The team flies at airshows around the globe, performing maneuvers that demonstrate the capabilities of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The two-day event, featured performances by aerial demonstration teams, flyovers, and static displays. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jacob M. Thompson)
U.S. Air Force Maj. Paul Lopez, F-22 Demo Team commander, performs a high speed pass maneuver during the Fort Worth Alliance air show in Fort Worth, Texas, Oct. 19, 2019. Representing the U.S. Air Force and Air Combat Command, the F-22 Demo Team travels to 25 air shows a season to showcase the performance and capabilities of the world’s premier 5th-generation fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Sam Eckholm)
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker with the 434th Air Refueling Wing, Indiana, which had an aircrew with the 63rd Air Refueling Squadron, Florida, refuels a F-22 Raptor with the 325th Fighter Wing, Florida on February 23, 2021. The Stratotanker was on loan to MacDill Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany A. Emery)
A Senior Editor for 1945, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,000 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.
