F-22 Archives

An F-22 Raptor performs an aerial demonstration at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, Sept. 19, 2025. Rapid changes in angle of attack create visible vapor around the aircraft, providing a clear view of its aerodynamic performance. This demonstration highlights the F-22’s advanced maneuvering capabilities, showcasing its speed, agility, and thrust-vectoring performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin)

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The U.S. Has 187 F-22 Raptors — China Already Has 300 J-20 Stealth Fighters and Could Soon Have 1,000

The U.S. Air Force operates 187 F-22 Raptor 5th-generation stealth fighters. China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force already operates an estimated 300 J-20 stealth...

Kris OsbornMay 13, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Russia Wasted Years Building the MiG 1.44 to Beat the F-22 Raptor — It Flew Once for 18 Minutes in 2000 and Was Mothballed Forever

Russia’s MiG 1.44 5th-generation fighter prototype flew for 18 minutes total during its single test flight. The MiG 1.44 was built to compete with...

Brent M. EastwoodMay 13, 2026

U.S. Air Force Capt. Nick “Laz” Le Tourneau, pilot and commander of the F-22 Raptor Aerial Demonstration Team, launches an F-22 Raptor during the night show at EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 26, 2025. The afterburners illuminate the night sky, creating a striking visual as the aircraft accelerates into flight. This takeoff gives spectators a front-row view of the F-22’s power, speed, and advanced capabilities, showcasing the skill of Airmen who operate and maintain the jet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

F-22 Readiness Crisis: The U.S. Air Force Built Only 187 F-22 Raptors — Their Mission-Capable Rate Has Hovered in the Low 50% Range

The F-22 Raptor has struggled with readiness rates throughout its service life, with numbers in recent years particularly troubling. Readiness has been a perennial...

Caleb LarsonMay 12, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-22 Raptor Is the Only U.S. 5th-Generation Fighter That Cannot Be Legally Exported

The F-22 Raptor is the only U.S. 5th-generation fighter that cannot be legally exported. U.S. Congress banned F-22 exports in 1998 via the Obey...

Isaac SeitzMay 12, 2026

U.S. Air Force Maj. Sean “Rambo” Loughlin, pilot of the F-35A Demonstration Team, conducts aerial maneuvers during a practice demonstration at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, May 4, 2026. These practice demonstrations maintain the skills required to execute precise maneuvers at airshows worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rupiper)

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The F-35 Lightning II Was Designed to Replace 5 Different U.S. Fighters: The F-16, F-15, F/A-18, A-10 and More

The F-35 Lightning II is sometimes derided for being a lesser version of the F-22. It is smaller, slower, and less maneuverable than the...

Isaac SeitzMay 12, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Russia Spent Years Developing the Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut to Match the F-22 Raptor — Only 1 Prototype Was Built and It Never Saw Combat

In 1997, Russia unveiled the Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut, one of the most unusual fighter aircraft ever built. The aircraft was built with forward-swept wings...

Kris OsbornMay 12, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-22 and F-35 Carry an Air-to-Air Missile That Tops Out at 185km — China’s J-20 Carries One That Just Hit at 200km in Combat

In May 2024, a Pakistani Air Force J-10C fighter fired a Chinese-built PL-15 air-to-air missile at an Indian Air Force Rafale. It hit at...

Kris OsbornMay 12, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Britain Spent £686,000,000 to Build the GCAP Stealth Fighter With Italy and Japan — Now 4,000 Engineers Could Be Redeployed in 10 Weeks

Britain’s Global Combat Air Program faces a 10-week funding deadline. The current bridge funding for GCAP — the 6th-generation stealth fighter shared with Italy...

Jack BuckbyMay 11, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, takes off during Checkered Flag 23-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 4, 2022. Checkered Flag is a large-force aerial exercise which fosters readiness and interoperability through the incorporation of 4th and 5th-generation aircraft during air-to-air combat training. The 23-1 iteration of the exercise was held Oct. 31 - Nov. 10, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

For 20 Years, the F-22 Raptor Couldn’t Carry External Fuel Tanks Without Losing Stealth — Lockheed Just Solved That Problem

At the Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium in February 2026, Lockheed Martin publicly displayed a production-representative scale model of what it informally...

Jack BuckbyMay 11, 2026

National Security Journal

All posts tagged "F-22"

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Has 187 F-22 Raptors — China Already Has 300 J-20 Stealth Fighters and Could Soon Have 1,000

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Russia Wasted Years Building the MiG 1.44 to Beat the F-22 Raptor — It Flew Once for 18 Minutes in 2000 and Was Mothballed Forever

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

F-22 Readiness Crisis: The U.S. Air Force Built Only 187 F-22 Raptors — Their Mission-Capable Rate Has Hovered in the Low 50% Range

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-22 Raptor Is the Only U.S. 5th-Generation Fighter That Cannot Be Legally Exported

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-35 Lightning II Was Designed to Replace 5 Different U.S. Fighters: The F-16, F-15, F/A-18, A-10 and More

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Russia Spent Years Developing the Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut to Match the F-22 Raptor — Only 1 Prototype Was Built and It Never Saw Combat

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-22 and F-35 Carry an Air-to-Air Missile That Tops Out at 185km — China’s J-20 Carries One That Just Hit at 200km in Combat

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Britain Spent £686,000,000 to Build the GCAP Stealth Fighter With Italy and Japan — Now 4,000 Engineers Could Be Redeployed in 10 Weeks

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

For 20 Years, the F-22 Raptor Couldn’t Carry External Fuel Tanks Without Losing Stealth — Lockheed Just Solved That Problem

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