The fifth-generation stealth fighter F-22 Raptor of the United States is undergoing multiple upgrades, making it more lethal than ever before. Sensor upgrades have enhanced the aircraft’s killing power, improved software has strengthened missile targeting capabilities, and the upgraded Pratt & Whitney F119 engines have increased the aircraft’s speed, agility, and maneuverability.
China is also developing its own stealth fighter, with increasingly aggressive military actions in the Pacific, making the continued modernization of the Raptor crucial for maintaining American air superiority in the Indo-Pacific and other regions. This also makes it more difficult for China’s stealth fighters to catch up.
Despite the U.S. Air Force’s intention to retire the remaining F-22 fleet to make way for the next-generation air dominance (NGAD) successor, the F-22 will remain one of the Air Force’s mainstays for years to come. As the top-tier air superiority platform of the Air Force, the F-22 Raptor boasts stealth, speed, and power that aviation enthusiasts and military experts alike admire. The Raptor continues to enhance its capabilities to maintain its aerial combat advantage over emerging adversaries.
The recent upgrade for the F-22 includes a new generation of infrared defense sensor system, enhancing the aircraft’s lethality in modern threat environments. The F-22 will soon be equipped with a distributed embedded TacIRST sensor developed by Lockheed Martin, known as the Infrared Defense System (IRDS), making the Raptor comparable to modern F/A-18 Super Hornets and F-35 Lightning II fighters.
Hank Tucker, Vice President of Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin, explained, “We understand the need for advanced and versatile infrared systems like the IRDS, which will make pilots more survivable and lethal when facing current and future adversaries. We are committed to supporting the Air Force in deterring and defeating evolving threats through continuous innovation.”
The new TacIRST sensors will be installed in 178 F-22 fighter jets of the Air Force. Lockheed stated in a recent announcement that each Raptor aircraft will be equipped with more than one TacIRST system.
The F-22 is equipped with three internal weapons bays capable of carrying two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and six AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided air-to-air missiles. In missions requiring close air support or precision strikes, the Raptor can also carry two GBU-32 JDAMs or eight 250-pound small diameter bombs.
The Air Force has made necessary modifications to the way the F-22 launches AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.
This is the Raptor’s main weapon, and pilots will now see improved performance in terms of range and targeting. When the Raptor launches an AMRAAM, the missile can immediately perform evasion maneuvers along its flight path to destroy enemy aircraft.
The F-3R (form, fit, function, refresh) program of the Air Force will make the Raptor even more lethal. With the F-3R, the ammunition on the F-22 can be a force multiplier, enabling better range and control.
The F-22 is powered by the Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engine, a powerful engine that allows the F-22 to easily achieve the fifth-generation aircraft’s iconic “4S” capabilities (stealth, supersonic cruise, beyond-visual-range attack, and super maneuverability).
Pratt & Whitney continues to update the F119 engines on the F-22, with both engines now providing 35,000 pounds of thrust.
Over the years, engine manufacturers have collected extensive flight data from the F-22. This data has been utilized to update software controlling engine parameters. The updated engines deliver greater power and flexibility, allowing the aircraft to achieve remarkable speed and climb rates.
The updated engines respond more quickly to changes in direction, providing optimal maneuverability for dogfights.
Through better data analysis, engineers and ground personnel know when to adjust or replace engines.
Aircraft engines have always been a weakness in China’s aviation industry, with military aircraft engines reported to have insufficient thrust and short lifespans. This is also a key target for China’s “Made in China 2025” and technology theft efforts.
The F-22 is not only used to defend the United States mainland but also frequently deployed in Europe, the Middle East, and the western Pacific, serving as the primary asset for the U.S. military to gain air superiority.
Last summer, F-22 fighters arrived in Guam to participate in the “Valiant Shield 24” exercise, a large-scale drill involving U.S. forces in flight combat against Chinese military aircraft.
The F-22 can rotate with combat aircraft in Guam to form a more potent force in East Asia. China is developing its own stealth fighters, exerting pressure and threats on Taiwan and other neighboring countries. The improvements to the F-22 provide the U.S. military with more leverage in confronting Chinese military forces.
Russian fighter pilots have firsthand experience with the power of the F-22. Deployed in the Middle East for years, the Raptor can silently approach Russian and Syrian fighters during patrols without their awareness, distancing them from American and allied aircraft.
Until the sixth-generation fighter is introduced, the F-22 will continue to play a primary role in the air for years to come.
（This article is partially based on a report from the military website 19fortyfive.com）