The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is one of the most advanced fighter jets ever built. Its stealth capabilities and advanced avionics make it unparalleled by any jet outside of the US. Despite this, the United States Air Force (USAF) operates only 187 of these aircraft with no more set to be produced. And, as time goes on, the amount of air frames will drop for various reasons such accidents, ware and possibly even war.
This raises the question: why isn’t the US producing one of its best aircraft? This limited number is the result of a combination of factors, including high costs, changing military priorities, and political decisions.
Why are There so Few F-22 Raptors?
The F-22 Raptor originated from the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program initiated by the USAF in 1981. The goal was to develop a new air superiority fighter to replace the F-15 Eagle and counter emerging threats from the Soviet Union.
Lockheed Martin, in partnership with Boeing, won the contract to develop the F-22, which first flew in 1997 and entered service in 2005.
Too Expensive to Maintain
One of the primary reasons for the limited number of F-22s is the high cost of production. Each F-22 Raptor cost approximately $150 million, making it one of the most expensive fighter jets ever built. The total program cost, including research and development, was around $67 billion.
These high costs were a significant factor in the decision to limit production.
Maintaining and operating the F-22 fleet has proven to be challenging and costly. The aircraft requires significant maintenance to keep its stealth capabilities intact, and parts shortages have been a persistent issue. These challenges have impacted the mission-capable rates of the F-22, making it difficult to keep the entire fleet operational at all times.
The F-22 is a fifth-generation fighter jet with advanced stealth, supercruise, and sensor fusion capabilities. However, the rapid pace of technological advancements means that newer systems are continually being developed.
The USAF is already looking towards the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter to eventually replace the F-22. This focus on future technologies has also contributed to the decision to limit F-22 production.
F-22 Fighter Meets Shifting Political Landscapes
Political decisions also played a crucial role in the limited production of the F-22. In 2009, then-Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recommended ending the F-22 program, citing the high costs and the lack of a significant air-to-air threat.
Congress agreed, and production was capped at 187 operational aircraft. This decision was influenced by the belief that future conflicts would not require as many air superiority fighters and that the F-35 could fulfill multiple roles more cost-effectively.
During the early 2000s, the United States was heavily involved in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. These conflicts required different military capabilities, such as ground attack and close air support, rather than air superiority. As a result, the USAF shifted its focus to aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II, which is more versatile and can perform a wider range of missions.
Too Many Mouths to Feed
Perhaps the main reason the F-22 fell out of favor in the eyes of the DoD is because of the immense amount of competition from other, more promising projects. Most prominent among these is the F-35 Lighting II program. At an average cost of $77 million, the F-35 provides more or less the same, if not superior capabilities to the F-22 at a relatively cheaper price. The F-35’s international success in other nations’ air forces makes it even more of an indispensable asset to the US.
Additionally, the USAF needs significant resources to develop the NGAD program. Designed to replace the F-22 and F-35, the NGAD program promises to be the US’ first sixth-generation fighter jet.
NGAD China 6th-Generation Fighter. Image: Screenshot.
With advanced stealth capabilities and network centric technology, the NGAD program requires substantial economic and technological investments if the program is to be a success.
The B-21 Raider is another project that has been eating away at the defense budget. At an estimated cost of $700 million per aircraft, the B-21 promises to be a quantum leap in stealth technology and could potentially provide the US with an indispensable advantage over its allies.
With all these projects requiring staggering amounts of financial investment, it is no wonder that the F-22 has been choked out. This is not even mentioning other resource intense project like the F-15EX and the B-52J. With all these projects demanding attention, the USAF simply does not have the resources to invest in full-scale F-22 production.
The F-22 isn’t Dead Yet
Despite the limited number of F-22s, the aircraft remains a critical component of the USAF’s tactical airpower. The F-22 has been used in various operations, including missions in the Middle East against the Islamic State.
The USAF is currently investing in upgrades to keep the F-22 fleet relevant until the NGAD fighter is ready for deployment. These upgrades include improvements to avionics, sensors, and weapons systems.
The limited number of F-22 Raptors in service today is the result of a combination of high costs, changing military priorities, political decisions, and technological advancements. While the F-22 remains a formidable air superiority fighter, the focus is now shifting towards developing the next generation of fighter aircraft to ensure continued air dominance in the future.
About the Author: Issac 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.
