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F-22 Raptor

The F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine, stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine, stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force. It is designed primarily for air superiority and also supports air-to-ground missions, combining stealth, supercruise, agility, and advanced avionics. The aircraft is manufactured by Lockheed Martin and Boeing and entered initial operational capability in December 2005.

Development

The F-22 was developed for the U.S. Air Force as part of the Advanced Tactical Fighter program. It was intended to replace older air-superiority fighters and entered service in 2005.

Design and capabilities

The aircraft combines stealth, supercruise, high agility, and integrated avionics. It is optimized for air dominance but is also capable of air-to-ground operations. The F-22 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines with afterburners and two-dimensional thrust-vectoring nozzles.

Armament

The F-22 carries weapons internally to preserve low observability. The U.S. Air Force lists configurations including AIM-9 and AIM-120 missiles for air-to-air use, or JDAM bombs with AIM-120 missiles for air-to-ground missions.

Operational status

The F-22 reached initial operational capability in December 2005. The U.S. Air Force reported a total force inventory of 183 aircraft as of August 2022. The U.S. Air Force describes it as a critical component of the Global Strike Task Force.

Key facts

  • The F-22 was developed as a fifth-generation fighter under the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter program.
  • Its design emphasizes stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics.
  • The aircraft can carry internal air-to-air missiles and, in air-to-ground configurations, JDAM bombs.
  • The F-22 entered initial operational capability in December 2005.
  • It is built by Lockheed Martin with Boeing as a contractor partner.
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Canadian context

The F-22 is relevant to Canadian readers as a major U.S. fifth-generation fighter and a reference point in North American aerospace and continental defence discussions.

Frequently asked questions

What is the F-22 Raptor?
A stealth tactical fighter aircraft used by the United States Air Force, designed mainly for air superiority.
Who manufactures the F-22?
Lockheed Martin and Boeing are listed as the contractors for the F-22 program.
When did the F-22 enter service?
It reached initial operational capability in December 2005.
What engines does the F-22 use?
It uses two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines with afterburners and two-dimensional thrust-vectoring nozzles.
What kind of missions can the F-22 perform?
It is designed for air dominance and can also carry out air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

References

  1. U.S. Air Force — https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104506/f-22-raptor/
    Supports: Primary role, mission, contractors, engines, armament, crew, unit cost, IOC, and inventory
  2. Lockheed Martin — https://lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed-martin/aero/documents/f22/F-22-Product-Card.pdf
    Supports: Stealth, speed, agility, situational awareness, and air-dominance description
  3. Air & Space Forces — https://www.airandspaceforces.com/weapons/f-22/
    Supports: Stealthy air-dominance fighter description
  4. The Aviationist — https://theaviationist.com/2024/11/07/lockheed-martin-f-22-raptor/
    Supports: F-22 as a fifth-generation fighter and active service context