Few planes in history have changed the air power dynamic so significantly as the F-22 Raptor. Fast, agile, and strangely silent on radar, it’s a plane that doesn’t fly—dominates. While everybody appreciates its stealth design and otherworldly appearance, those who have seen it in action understand the Raptor’s advantage goes far beyond form. What makes it especially dangerous is the way that it combines stealth, speed, and agility into a single, deadly package—a machine not merely designed to survive in combat but to dominate it.
Central to that machine is some of the most sophisticated engineering ever devised for a fighter aircraft. Its two Pratt & Whitney F119 engines provide it with thrust-vectoring, which implies the Raptor can turn and spin in ways that are utterly impossible for most planes. This maneuverability proves critical in a dogfight or when split-second actions are required to shake off hostile missiles.
The jet can reach speeds greater than Mach 2 when the afterburners are engaged, but the real difference is that it can supercruise—travel at approximately Mach 1.5 without the use of afterburners at all. That’s not only fuel-efficient—it makes the aircraft more difficult to detect. As defense analyst Dr. Brent M. Eastwood observed, it keeps the Raptor fast and stealthy for longer periods of time, the ultimate predator in the skies.
But stealth isn’t merely a matter of speed or geometry. With the F-22, it’s infused in every aspect of the plane—from radar-absorbing paint to concealed weapon compartments to its electronic warfare suite. The Air Force has refined its stealth profile over time even further, most recently with new chrome-like finishes to reduce its heat signature. The result is a plane that’s not only difficult to spot—it’s virtually impossible to locate.
One of the most obvious demonstrations of its ability may have occurred in 2013. Escorting an American drone close to Iranian airspace, a single F-22 was able to creep up on two Iranian F-4 Phantoms undetected. Bouncing down below to scan their armaments, the Raptor pilot then calmly flew alongside them and warned them.
General Mark Welsh later recounted the incident: “He flew under their airplane without them realizing he was there, then pulled up on their left side and said, ‘You really ought to go home.'” It was a subtle, chilling reminder that the F-22 can dictate terms of engagement before the other side even realizes that it’s present.
Outside of anecdotes like that, the F-22 has demonstrated itself in a variety of missions. Its first combat experience was against ISIS and has since been deployed to the Middle East regularly, both as a shield and a deterrent. Whether protecting high-value targets or shooting down drones and cruise missiles, the Raptor finds a way to adapt to new threats. Through its sensors and radar systems, it can see enemies far in the distance, and through its speed and responsiveness, it can react before anyone else is even in the air.
Of course, residing at the pinnacle requires perpetual upgrades. The Air Force has not kept the Raptor idle. Over the past few years, they have introduced software enhancements, improved radar performance, and enhanced their electronic warfare equipment.
Even today, components from the future NGAD program are being integrated into the F-22, such as infrared search-and-track systems and stealthier external fuel tanks. According to Air & Space Forces Magazine, the objective is straightforward: keep the Raptor’s “first-shot, first-kill” edge until the next generation of air supremacy takes over.
But in the grand scheme, the F-22 is more than a world-class fighter—it’s a symbol of deterrence. Its very presence in any airspace carries a message: the U.S. has options, and it has them quickly. Whether it’s patrolling the Indo-Pacific, countering Russian air operations in Europe, or defending forces in the Middle East, the Raptor provides commanders with the kind of flexibility and assurance that older aircraft just can’t offer.
With competitors such as Russia further developing their next-gen fighters, the F-22’s ongoing development will be essential to maintaining the advantage. Its combination of stealth, speed, power, and flexibility means that—no matter newer models on the horizon—it is the standard against which all other aircraft are judged.