What Is F-22 Raptor? What Does It Do? Lockheed Martin’s Still-Unmatched 5th-Generation Air Superiority Fighter
Still considered the world’s most advanced air superiority fighter, Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor has been in U.S. Air Force service since 2005. Supercruise, advanced AESA radar, and low RCS signature kept it unmatched for 20 years. Export was banned by the U.S. Congress. Türkiye’s KAAN program is the most ambitious domestic answer attempting to fill the technological void created by F-22.
What Is It?
F-22 Raptor is the first 5th-generation fighter developed for the U.S. Air Force, led by Lockheed Martin with Boeing support. Product of the ATF (Advanced Tactical Fighter) program; first flight 1997, operational 2005. Designed for pure air superiority with supercruise (supersonic without afterburner), low RCS signature, AN/APG-77 AESA radar, top-tier EW suite, and thrust vectoring nozzle. Production halted in 2011 at 187 aircraft — in favor of F-35.
What Does It Do?
F-22 is used for air superiority, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD), and limited stand-off attack missions. Combat radius is 850 km; internal bays carry 2 AIM-9X Sidewinder + 6 AIM-120 AMRAAM. Mach 1.82 supercruise leaves no decision time for enemy aircraft. The U.S. used F-22s for air patrol over Syria, Iran, and Ukraine border in 2017—2024.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Class | Single-seat 5th-generation stealth air superiority fighter |
| Length | 18.9 m |
| Wingspan | 13.6 m |
| Empty weight | 19,700 kg |
| Max weight | 38,000 kg |
| Engine | 2 × Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 (35,000 lbf, thrust vectoring) |
| Max speed | Mach 2.25 |
| Supercruise | Mach 1.82 |
| Ceiling | 19,812 m |
| Range | 2,960 km |
| Weapons | Internal: 6 AIM-120 + 2 AIM-9X; external: 8 hardpoints |
Who Bought It, At What Price?
F-22 unit cost is 150 million USD (2005 unit), program total 67 billion USD. 187 aircraft produced; operated solely by U.S. Air Force. The Obey Amendment legislative ban prevented exports — Japan, Australia, Israel requested and were denied. Phased retirement planned with NGAD in the 2030s.
| Operator | Base | Units | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Air Force | Tyndall AFB, Langley AFB, JBER AFB, Hickam AFB | 187 (~150 operational) | 2005— |
Comparison With Turkish Counterpart
Türkiye’s direct answer to F-22 is KAAN (MMU) — a 5+ generation fighter developed under TUSAŞ leadership with ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, TÜBİTAK SAGE, and KALE-Arge partnership. KAAN flew first in 2024, IOC planned 2028. Supercruise-capable, AESA radar (ASELSAN MURAD), twin-engine, internal weapons bay, AI co-pilot, and future domestic engine (TRMotor TF35000). 20+ years after F-22 but the same category.
| Criterion | F-22 Raptor (LM) | KAAN (TUSAŞ) | F-35A (reference) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation | 5 | 5+ | 5 |
| First flight | 1997 | 2024 | 2006 |
| IOC | 2005 | 2028 (planned) | 2015 |
| Max speed | Mach 2.25 | Mach 1.8+ | Mach 1.6 |
| Supercruise | Yes (Mach 1.82) | Yes | No |
| Engine | F119-PW-100 | F110-GE-129 (interim) → TF35000 | F135-PW-100 |
| Weapons bay | Fully internal (6 AIM-120 + 2 AIM-9X) | Fully internal | Fully internal |
| Export | Banned | Possible (planned) | 30+ countries |
| Cost/aircraft | ~150M USD | ~80M USD (planned) | ~80M USD |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is F-22 not exported?
Will KAAN be equivalent to F-22?
Can Türkiye request F-22?
What is F-22’s successor?
In which conflicts has F-22 been used?
Conclusion
F-22 still does not have its 20-year-old air superiority void filled. Türkiye’s KAAN program is one of the most ambitious Europe-Asia projects filling this strategic opportunity through domestic capacity. With 2028 IOC, the export opportunity F-22 cannot pursue is open to KAAN in Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Egypt markets.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
- Lockheed Martin F-22 program
- U.S. Air Force ACC briefings
- TUSAŞ KAAN product page
- Janes Combat Aircraft 2024
