Summary and Key Points: A clean F-22 Raptor has a combat range of roughly 590 nautical miles. Russia’s Su-57 is credited with about 670. China’s J-20 is estimated at around 1,100 — nearly double the number of American aircraft— and it is the one the Raptor would most likely meet. New photographs show the Air Force’s answer: shaped external fuel tanks that Lockheed says extend the F-22’s combat range to about 850 nautical miles without revealing its radar signature, carried on pylons blended into the airframe to avoid radar returns, alongside two sensor pods. One of those pods appears to carry infrared search and track — a capability the F-22 was supposed to have from the beginning, and which was cut for cost after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
The F-22 Raptor Range Problems
In March of this year, California-based aviation photographer Jarod Hamilton got some good photos of the F-22 Raptor in its latest configuration.
The photos show the F-22 with new stealthy external fuel tanks, along with external pods reportedly housing infrared search-and-track (IRST) sensors or other optical targeting systems.
While this isn’t the first time the F-22 has flown with these systems, Hamilton’s photos offer observers the best view yet of the aircraft’s new layout.
These new systems address several long-standing deficiencies in the F-22 that have historically limited its versatility.
However, with the F-47 not expected until the 2030s, the F-22 is receiving these upgrades as a stopgap between the fifth and sixth generations.
Addressing the F-22’s Current Deficiencies
Early in the F-22’s development, the aircraft was originally supposed to receive IRST systems similar to the F-35’s Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS).
However, when the USSR collapsed in 1991, subsequent budget cuts made IRST systems too expensive to integrate into the already costly F-22 Raptor.
The lack of IRST or similar optical systems became a major Achilles’ heel for the aircraft, as it had no way to optically scan for and designate its own ground targets.
F-22 Raptor. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
F-22 Raptor. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Consequently, in the subsequent War on Terror (GWOT), the F-22 had fairly limited strike capabilities, rendering it virtually useless against enemies without an air force.
Later upgrades integrated GPS- or laser-guided munitions, but compared to most other aircraft, the Raptor was seen as a one-trick pony, whose one trick was not particularly useful.
Integrating IRST pods became one of the most pressing needs for the F-22, especially as enemy stealth fighters like the Su-57 and the J-20 received IRST capabilities from the get-go.
J-20 Elephant Walk PLAAF Photo
The new equipment pods appear to have a similar shape, although one seems to have a transparent section at the front, likely for IRST or similar optical systems.
The other likely provides electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, or houses electronic equipment to enable networking with collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), another goal of upcoming Raptor upgrades.
A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor departs after being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility November 5, 2024. Raptors provide air dominance and conduct missions delivering airpower within the region. (U.S. Air Force photo)
A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor from 94th Fighter Squadron Langley Air Force Base, Va., takes off to perform an aerial demonstration for an estimated 180,000 spectators at the Australian International Airshow, March 2, 2013 at Avalon Airport in Geelong, Australia. The F-22 demo team are currently deployed to the 18th Fighter Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan to support pacific theater operations. This is the first official demonstration of the F-22 Raptors capabilities at an airshow outside the United States. The Australian International Airshow 2013 (AIA13), is held biennially, and is one of the largest international trade shows in the Pacific. The Airshow is expected to draw 350,000 visitors and has featured 500 defense exhibitors from 35 countries and is designed to bolster business opportunities in the international aviation sector. U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) participation in AIA13 directly supports theater engagement goals and objectives and further enhances relationships with other Pacific nations. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth/Released)
Both pods feature a carefully shaped design, allowing the F-22 to retain its low observability while carrying them.
The inclusion of IRST, however, is likely to affect the Raptor’s stealth characteristics, though probably not significantly.
Increasing the Raptor’s Range
Range has historically been another limitation on the F-22.
Currently, a clean Raptor has a combat range of around 590 nautical miles, which is considerably low for a fifth-generation aircraft.
For comparison’s sake, the Su-57 has a combat range of 670 nautical miles, while the J-20 has an estimated combat radius of 1,100 nautical miles.
With non-stealthy fuel tanks, the F-22 increases its range to 750 nmi, though these are typically used for ferry flights rather than combat missions.
According to Lockheed Martin, the new stealth drop tanks increase the aircraft’s combat range up to 850 nmi and can be used in combat.
F-22 Raptor.
The fuel tanks can also be jettisoned if necessary, although the plan is to retain them throughout the mission for reuse.
The new drop tanks are designed to fit the F-22 without compromising its stealth profile. The tanks feature specialized stealth shaping to reduce their radar cross-section.
At the same time, the pylons they are fitted to are meticulously blended into the aircraft to avoid gaps and radar spikes.
The tanks, along with the sensor pods, are also likely coated with radar-absorbent materials (RAM) to further improve their stealth profile.
Overall, the new stealth pods are a much-needed improvement for the F-22, especially when operating over the vast Pacific Ocean.
They allow the aircraft to cover greater distances without compromising its stealth, which is especially handy in a confrontation with China.
The Past, Present, and Future King of the Skies
Recently, the F-22 has become the USAF’s center of attention, partly because of China’s rise as a near-peer competitor.
Originally, the Air Force planned to retire the Raptor slowly, but with the return of great-power competition and delays in the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, the F-22 has found a second life as a stopgap ahead of the eventual F-47.
F-47 NGAD Fighter Possible Image. Image Credit: Screenshot.
Although designed in the 80s/90s, the F-22 remains one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets.
Its stealth and sensor-fusion capabilities are second only to the F-35, and its air-superiority capabilities remain unmatched.
The latest upgrades ensure the F-22 remains in service into the 2030s while remaining the dominant force in the skies. Although the Raptor was arguably one of the most advanced fighters in the world, the aircraft still left some room for improvement.
The exclusion of IRST capabilities and its shorter range, for example, straight up hindered its performance and versatility across the board.
Now, however, these deficiencies are being addressed.
The USAF currently has further plans to expand the F-22’s capabilities by making it compatible with loyal wingmen CCAs.
The service plans to integrate new systems that will enable the F-22 to control unmanned aircraft such as General Atomics’ YFQ-42A and Anduril’s YFQ-44A, both of which are currently under development.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 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.
