Key Points and Summary – The Air Force may upgrade 35 older F-22 Block 20 Raptors once slated for retirement, converting training airframes into combat-coded jets to bolster stealth capacity before sixth-generation NGAD arrives.
-Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works says talks center on adding modern sensors, infrared search-and-track, electronic warfare, open-mission systems, and manned-unmanned teaming links for Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Two F-22 Raptors perform a flyover and air demonstration during noon meal formation at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 12, 2023. Events such as these aim to cultivate warrior ethos, a future-focused mindset, and supplement existing character, leadership, and officer development efforts with the cadets. (U.S Air Force Photo by Trevor Cokley)
An F-22 Raptor performs an aerial demonstration at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Aug. 8, 2025. The rapid change in angle of attack causes visible vapor to form around the aircraft, giving spectators a clear view of the jet’s aerodynamic performance. This demonstration highlights the unique thrust-vectoring capabilities of the F-22, allowing it to achieve extreme agility unmatched by other fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin).
-The move would raise the number of ready Raptors beyond today’s 143 and keep the fleet competitive as China expands its J-20 force and Russia fields more Su-57s.
-Net effect: more survivable air-superiority fighters, sooner. It also smooths the bridge to NGAD’s fielding later this decade.
F-22 Raptor Fighters That Were Slated to Retire Could Be Upgraded
Just when you thought the F-22 Raptor couldn’t get any better, some older models of the fleet may indeed be getting a capability boost.
Thirty-five of the stealth fighters previously used for training purposes could be receiving an upgrade.
These older warbirds were supposed to be headed for retirement, but will now receive a new lease on life. This group is comprised of the aging Block 20 Raptors that could use some tender loving care.
In September, an executive from the secretive and always resourceful Lockheed Martin Skunk Works said at a conference that the organization is in talks to work wonders with the older Raptors. OJ Sanchez, the vice president and general manager of Skunk Works, said there are “conversations around whether there is an opportunity to take the Block 20 fleet and continue to expand [its capabilities].”
Saving Raptors From a Trip to the Boneyard
The 35 F-22s in question were scheduled to be scrapped entirely, but could be saved under the new plan.
Currently, newer Block 30 and Block 35 Raptors are receiving upgrades.
“The F-22 continues to be central to the U.S. Air Force’s force structure, and the ability to keep it at the forefront of the fight is paramount,” Sanchez said. “The F-22 program at Skunk Works is doing that.”
The Bridge to the F-47 NGAD
This comes at a time when the Air Force is developing its new sixth-generation fighter called the F-47 NGAD.
Shown is a graphical artist rendering of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform. The rendering highlights the Air Force’s sixth generation fighter, the F-47. The NGAD Platform will bring lethal, next-generation technologies to ensure air superiority for the Joint Force in any conflict. (U.S. Air Force graphic)
Shown is a graphical artist rendering of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform. The rendering highlights the Air Force’s sixth generation fighter, the F-47. The NGAD Platform will bring lethal, next-generation technologies to ensure air superiority for the Joint Force in any conflict. (U.S. Air Force graphic)
However, this new ultra-stealth jet may not fly until 2028 and is expected to enter active duty in the early 2030s, replacing the F-22.
Lockheed is offering a way to keep more F-22s on the flight line so the transition to the F-47 NGAD will be smoother.
What Systems Will Be Upgraded?
The older F-22 Block 20s would receive sensor improvements, better infrared tracking, modernized electronic warfare systems, plus other modernization efforts. The
Americans want to take advantage of the F-22’s open mission systems architecture. The upgraded Block 20s would be in addition to the current level of 143 combat-coded F-22s out of 185 total. This would increase the number of valuable air superiority jets with highly stealthy features that could be ready for combat after the update process.
The upgrade plan comes at a time when the Air Force needs more stealth jets, as China builds a large force of J-20 fifth-generation warplanes and Russia assembles additional Su-57 stealth jets.
The Block 20s date back to the late 1990s and early 2020s, so there will be substantial work that must be executed to bring them up to standard.
The idea is to make the F-22 viable as a go-to fighter into the 2040s, way beyond the Low Rate Initial Production phase during the early days.
That 2040 goal might be optimistic, but at least the Air Force has plans to get as many combat-ready airplanes flying regularly as possible.
The F-22 As a Drone Mothership
The Block 30/35 upgrade standard could include manned-unmanned teaming options.
“The F-22 is kind of at the forefront of how to do that,” Sanchez said. This could involve the F-22 serving with the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft, which enables the Raptor to play the drone quarterback role. This development could make the Raptors’ battle more diverse and lethal.
Meanwhile, the Air Force is trying to create ways to get more F-22s in combat mode rather than having so many offline.
The Block 20s need the new upgrades for the fleet to remain relevant in the coming years.
Too Bad 750 Raptors Were Not Built
Initially, there were calls for the Air Force to acquire 750 F-22s. Legislators on Capitol Hill cut that back to under 200. However, with 750, the service branch could have forward deployed Raptors in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia.
Unfortunately, the decision to limit the number of Raptors came at a time when the Global War on Terror necessitated ground strikes and close air support missions rather than air superiority. The F-22 is not known for being able to excel in surface strike roles.
Now the Air Force must be content with upgrading the older models before they are sent to the Boneyard. And air superiority is desperately needed to answer Russia and China before the F-47 comes online.
It is not clear how long the upgrades to Block 20 will take, but at least the Air Force is looking into the future and exploring ways the Raptor can bolster its numbers.
This is a jet that is uniquely capable of surviving in contested environments and operating as a dogfighter or assisting allies in policing their airspace.
China continues to use its fighter jets to encroach on Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zones in “grey zone” operations. Russia is sending more Su-57s into harm’s way to overwhelm the Ukrainians.
This is overall good news for the F-22 program. It is usually a noteworthy development when there are plans to increase numbers without having to build an entirely new airframe.
Meanwhile, the F-47 program must continue to stay on schedule and under budget while the Raptor is receiving upgrades. The Air Force recognizes that increasing the number of combat-coded F-22s will enhance the overall balance of power in key regions around the world.
About the Author: Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for US Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former US Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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SAM BULL
October 8, 2025 at 4:51 am
News flash: We’re broke. Instead of new toys we can’t pay for, why don’t we stop bullying countries and do business with them, like we were NOT psychotic.?
Joe Sujet
October 8, 2025 at 7:48 am
Newsflash, we are not the ones invading innocent countries like the Russians are. We are not the ones that have territorial disputes with at least 6 nations in the South China Sea. We may not need 6th generation fighters for the foreseeable future, but we are not the bullies. Get a clue.