Sometimes forgotten Raptor Fighter upgrades mean Trump’s recent comments might not have been a mistake: While on his Middle East tour, President Trump spoke at a meeting of business leaders, including the heads of Boeing and GE Aerospace, in Doha, a day after announcing a string of business deals, including an order from Qatar for 160 Boeing commercial jets.
There, he called for the development of a twin-engined warplane to be known as the F-55 and an upgrade to its Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, the F-22 Super. The F-55 would be a twin-engine version of the F-35 Lightning II. “We’re going to do an F-55 and—I think, if we get the right price, we have to get the right price – that’ll be two engines and a super upgrade on the F-35, and then we’re going to do the F-22,” Trump said.
“I think the most beautiful fighter jet in the world is the F-22, but we’re going to do an F-22 Super, and it’ll be a very modern version of the F-22 fighter jet,” he said.
“We’re going to be going with it pretty quickly,” he added.
Upgraded Stealth Fighter Jets Are Possible
While some aviation analysts have already stated that a twin-engine F-35 is not feasible, the F-22 Super Raptor is an intriguing prospect. Lockheed Martin, which lost the NGAD competition to Boeing, said it would upgrade its current aircraft with some new technology incorporated into its NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) fighter.
CEO Jim Taiclet said Lockheed Martin wants to supercharge its F-35 and F-22 fleets with technologies it developed while competing for the US Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance contract.
The upgraded aircraft would be what Taiclet coined “fifth-generation plus“—stealthier and able to sense and strike at greater ranges.
“We’re basically going to take the chassis and turn it into a Ferrari,” he said during the company’s first-quarter earnings call.
The F-22 Raptor Was Performance Personified
The F-22 Raptor, a fifth-generation air superiority fighter, represents a pinnacle of technological achievement for the USAF.
The F-22 is a formidable weapon system that combines supercruise, supermaneuverability, stealth capabilities, and advanced sensor fusion. Its design is tailored for missions centered on counter-air operations, particularly in highly contested environments, making it a quintessential icon of American air power.
When the F-22 took to the skies for the first time, it was evident that this aircraft marked a true revolution in aerial warfare. The United States’ allies and adversaries would find themselves without a comparable aircraft for many years and perhaps still haven’t.
Maybe the F-22 Super Is Just A Rename of What Is Already Occuring?
The US Air Force is investing over $1 billion to upgrade its F-22 Raptor fleet, ensuring its continued dominance until the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter enters service. Maybe, in some respects, this is what Donald Trump is talking about?
Raytheon received a significant contract from Lockheed Martin to enhance the Raptor’s sensor suite, including advanced infrared threat detection.
The Department of Defense announced the contract.
“Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, was awarded a not-to-exceed $1,045,597,364 fixed-price-incentive (firm-target), undefinitized contract for Group B hardware, spares, and support equipment.
“This contract provides for the F-22 sensor enhancements program that is designed to improve the F-22 sensor capabilities. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas, and is expected to be completed by May 8, 2029.”
Other Upgrades
The Air Force’s F-22 fleet upgrades include a new pilot helmet and flight, communications, and electronic protection systems.
Most recently, Lockheed Martin explained that the newest upgrades to the Raptor will be advanced infrared threat-detection sensors.
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — An F-22 Raptor taxis after landing here. The jet, from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., deployed here Oct. 15 for the next-generation fighter’s first deployment for live weapons bomb training exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Rogers)
An F-22 Raptor from the 27th Fighter Squadron out of Langley Air Force Base, Va., participates in Red Flag 13-3 March 5, 2013, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. During the exercise, aircrews and ground crews train to fight, survive and win together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Lancaster)
F-22 Raptor: Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Image: Creative Commons.
Image: Creative Commons.
“The F-22 will soon feature a newly developed, distributed set of embedded TacIRST sensors developed by Lockheed Martin to enhance aircraft survivability and lethality, known as the Infrared Defensive System (IRDS),” Lockheed said in a released statement.
Equipped with its new upgrade package, the Raptor will continue dominating the skies for at least another decade, ensuring its continued relevance in an ever-changing landscape of military technology that faces upgrades from potential enemies China and Russia.
About the Author
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications
