The End of an Era: American Air Force’s F-22 to Replace Raptor

The planned early retirement of the Raptor, which has been in service for less than 30 years, has left many observers of American air power feeling disappointed. It is not uncommon for modern American fighters such as the Lockheed Martin F-16 or Boeing F-15 to fly for 40 years or more with upgrades. However, the Air Force’s eagerness to replace its best fighter indicates where and how USAF leaders anticipate future wars will unfold, particularly in the vast western Pacific Ocean during a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan.

The American air force is optimistic that the warplane being developed to replace the F-22 will be better suited for this type of conflict. The $300-million-a-copy F-22 had a long development process, originating from the Advanced Tactical Fighter initiative in the 1980s and first flew in demonstrator form in 1990. It was completed in development by 2005 and deployed to Japan in 2006, with production finished by 2012. The type engaged in combat for the first time during the air campaign against Islamic State in 2014 and is currently deployed to both the Pacific region and Europe to deter China and Russia respectively.

Despite its advanced design and exceptional performance, however, it is worth noting that at its core, the F-22 is essentially a Cold War jet designed by Lockheed to confront the Soviet Union from bases in Europe. As such, limited endurance was not a major issue since it could easily refuel at these bases. An F-22 can only fly about 600 miles on internal fuel, which may not be sufficient for combat over longer distances. Nevertheless, it remains an important asset in current US military operations given its ability to engage targets at high speeds and altitudes while remaining undetected by enemy radar systems due to its stealth capabilities.