Key Points – The F-22 Raptor remains one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets, but its high costs, maintenance challenges, and shifting U.S. Air Force priorities have led to its early retirement plans. Originally designed for air superiority, the F-22 became less relevant as the U.S. prioritized multirole aircraft like the F-35.
-Budget constraints and the end of the Cold War also contributed to limiting the fleet to just 187 operational aircraft.
–Now, the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is set to replace the F-22 by 2030, marking the end of an era for what was once America’s premier fighter.
That One Enemy: Never Enough F-22 Fighters
Why the F-22 Raptor Is Being Retired (And What’s Coming Next)
The F-22 Raptor, developed by Lockheed Martin, is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world with foreign powers like Russia and China barely able to replicate anything close to it.
Despite its impressive capabilities, it has fallen out of favor with the U.S. Air Force. Today there seems to be conflicting visions in the USAF as to whether the aircraft should be maintained or retired for good.
F-22 Raptor: High Costs and Changing Landscapes
The F-22 Raptor originated from the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, which the USAF initiated in 1981 to replace the aging F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The goal was to develop a new air superiority fighter capable of countering emerging threats from the Soviet Union, including advanced surface-to-air missile systems and new fighter aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-27 and Mikoyan MiG-29.
Initially, the USAF planned to procure 750 F-22s. However, this number was gradually reduced due to various factors, including the end of the Cold War, budget constraints, and changing threat perceptions. By the time the F-22 entered service in 2005, the planned procurement had been scaled down to 381 aircraft.
One of the primary reasons for the reduced number of F-22s is the high cost associated with their development and production. The F-22 program faced significant cost overruns and delays during its development phase. The advanced technologies incorporated into the aircraft, such as stealth capabilities, supercruise, and advanced avionics, contributed to its high price tag.
The cost of an F-22 was approximately $150 million per unit, making it one of the most expensive fighter jets ever produced. The high cost led to political opposition and budgetary pressures, resulting in further reductions in the planned procurement numbers. By 2009, the program was ultimately cut to 195 aircraft, with 187 operational models.
The geopolitical landscape changed significantly after the end of the Cold War. The perceived lack of air-to-air threats during the 1990s and early 2000s led to a reassessment of the need for a large fleet of F-22s.
The focus shifted towards addressing asymmetric threats, such as terrorism and insurgency, which did not require advanced air superiority fighters like the F-22.
As a result, the USAF and the Department of Defense (DoD) prioritized other defense programs and platforms that were deemed more relevant to the evolving security environment.
This shift in priorities contributed to the decision to limit the number of F-22s produced.
Then Along Came the F-35
Another significant factor in the decision to limit the F-22 fleet was the development of the F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The F-35 program aimed to produce a more versatile and affordable multirole fighter that could be used by multiple branches of the US military and allied nations.
The F-35 incorporates many of the advanced technologies developed for the F-22, such as stealth capabilities and advanced avionics, but at a lower cost. The F-35’s multirole capabilities, including air-to-air combat, ground attack, and electronic warfare, made it a more attractive option for addressing a wide range of threats.
The success of the F-35 program and its potential to meet the needs of various military branches led to a shift in focus and resources away from the F-22. The DoD decided to invest in the F-35 program, further reducing the number of F-22s procured.
The F-22’s advanced technologies and stealth capabilities come with high operating and maintenance costs. The aircraft requires specialized maintenance procedures and materials to maintain its stealth features, which increases the overall cost of ownership. The F-22’s complex systems and components also contribute to higher maintenance requirements and costs compared to other fighter jets.
The limited number of F-22s produced means that the fleet does not benefit from economies of scale, further driving up the cost per aircraft. The high operating and maintenance costs have been a significant factor in the decision to limit the size of the F-22 fleet and focus on more cost-effective platforms like the F-35.
The USAF’s strategic and operational considerations also played a role in the decision to limit the F-22 fleet. The F-22 was designed primarily for air superiority missions, focusing on countering advanced enemy fighters and achieving air dominance. While the F-22 excels in this role, its capabilities are limited in other mission areas, such as ground attack and close air support.
The USAF’s evolving operational requirements and the need for more versatile platforms led to a greater emphasis on multirole aircraft like the F-35. The F-35’s ability to perform a wide range of missions, combined with its (relatively) lower cost, made it a more attractive option for meeting the USAF’s needs.
Future Prospects and the NGAD Program
Looking ahead, the USAF is already planning for the next generation of air superiority fighters. The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program aims to develop a family of systems that will ensure air superiority in the future.
The NGAD program is expected to incorporate advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and unmanned capabilities. The USAF was closely considering retiring the F-22 until recently.
Now it looks like the small number of remaining F-22s will remain as a stopgap until 2030 when they will be replaced by the NGAD fighters.
In the end, the F-22s greatest enemies were not Russian or Chinese jets but rather competing domestic programs. While the F-22 remains a critical component of the USAF’s air superiority capabilities, the focus is shifting towards more versatile and “cost-effective” platforms like the F-35 and the future NGAD program. These decisions reflect the USAF’s ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving security challenges and maintain its technological edge in military aviation.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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