Key Points: The F-22 Raptor, exclusively retained by the U.S. for air supremacy, remains a benchmark in fighter technology. Combining stealth, speed, and unparalleled maneuverability, it outclasses potential competitors like Russia’s Su-35 and China‘s J-20.
-Recent upgrades, including the AIM-9X Sidewinder, AIM-120D, and the forthcoming AM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, ensure its superiority.
-The Raptor’s high thrust-to-weight ratio and ability to dominate the OODA Loop give it a decisive edge in dogfights. While challengers like the J-20 offer advancements, they fall short in agility and technology. The Pentagon’s decision to limit F-22 access solidifies its role as an unmatched aerial asset.
F-22 Raptor: Why the Pentagon Kept It Exclusive to the U.S.
Years ago, the Pentagon made the engaging and impactful decision to sustain the F-22 as a “US-only” platform not available for Foreign Military Sales. This defining move may have ensured US Air Force superiority for decades.
Why? Many independent experts, observers, and many from the US Air Force continue to maintain that the F-22 is the best air supremacy fighter ever to exist. Looking at simple numbers and available specs, the F-22 does appear to possibly incorporate a combination of attributes arguably unrivaled anywhere in the world.
F-22 vs. Su-35
The closest competitor is arguably Russia’s 4th-gen “plus” upgraded Su-35 fighter, which reportedly can travel at F-22-competing speeds of Mach 2.25 and rival its thrust-to-weight ratio. The Su-35, as an upgraded variant of the well-known Su-27, does appear to present formidable threats to an F-22. Yet, the aircraft is not stealthy and may not rival the air-to-air maneuverability and “supercruise” thrust built into an F-22.
Air-to-air quickness and maneuverability, the ability to reach max speed without afterburner to sustain engagement, upgraded air-to-air weapons, stealth properties, and avionics are some of the key areas likely responsible for the US decision to preserve the aircraft for the US. In a purely speculative way, it would also make sense to imagine that the F-22 might have secret or “non-disclosed” technological advantages woven within.
Nevertheless, based on available information, the F-22 in total appears unrivaled, and the Pentagon likely does not want to relinquish potential global air supremacy. Speed and maneuverability, combined with stealth and weapons upgraded by new software, enable the F-22 to complete the famous Col. John Boyd OODA Loop faster than an opponent.
Famous OODA Loop
The OODA Loop, made famous by former Air Force fighter pilot Col. John Boyd, says the fighter jet able to complete the Observation, Orientation, Decision, Action “loop” faster or in advance of a potential adversary will prevail in any dogfight or air-to-air engagement. The F-22 appears to have been engineered in considerable measure for this purpose and essentially ensures the stealthy Raptor could out-perform and out-maneuver any fighter in the world.
F-22 Raptor. Image Credit: Creative Commons and 19FortyFive edits.
F-22 Upgrades
Also, the Raptor may have emerged several decades ago, yet the aircraft has received substantial upgrades in recent years, including a weapons-oriented software enhancement called 3.2b. This modernization effort, put into effect by the Air Force and Lockheed Martin, significantly improved the range, accuracy, guidance, and lethality of critical air-to-air weapons such as the AiM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120D.
A more recent, extremely significant upgrade relates to new Raptor sensors and additional new weaponry, according to an interesting essay by the Air & Space Force Magazine. The magazine cites a new “beyond-visual-range” air-to-air weapon being built into the F-22 called the AM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile.
Chinese J-20 vs F-22
Some might also question whether China’s 5th-gen J-20 is in any way intended to rival an F-22. While this is often suggested or said in media reports, looking at available specs suggests otherwise. Not only is the J-20 larger, heavier, and slower than a Raptor, but the J-20 thrust-to-weight ratio is cited by World-Defense.com as rising from .95 up to 1.0 with the addition of its domestically built WS-15 engine. This may be slightly competitive with an F-22’s cited thrust-to-weight ratio of 1.3, yet it does seem to suggest a Chinese J-20 would have little hope of out-maneuvering an F-22 in the air, even if it did fly with somewhat comparable stealth properties.
A P-51D Mustang and F-22 Raptor participate in a traditional “Heritage Flight” during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, “Marines Fight, Evolve and Win,” reflects the Marine Corps’ ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adam Bowles)
About the Author: Kris Osborn
Kris Osborn is the Military Technology Editor of 19FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
