The fearsome F-22 Raptor is one of the US Air Force’s most advanced aircraft, yet thanks to its stealth technology, none have been sold for export.
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is one of the most advanced military aircraft in the world. The aircraft entered US Air Force service in 2005, and is an agile, fast and incredibly capable. Something else it is though is very expensive. Unbelievably expensive, as costs for the F-22 went up and up during development. While the latest Lockheed Martin aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II, is available for export, the F-22 is not.
Thanks to its high cost and the technologies involved in its creation, the United States decided against export of the fighter. Which means that the US Air Force is the only air arm in the world that can operate the F-22 Raptor.
The F-22’s Costs Went Up And Up In Development
Like many a great and complex military aircraft, the F-22 cost a lot of money. The US Air Force had initially set itself a goal of having 381 F-22 Raptors within its ranks. But rising costs and other issues such as initial reliability put this number under scrutiny. Originally labeled as the ATF, the total program cost for the F-22 was set at a staggering $44.3 billion. The original procurement cost for initially 750 examples was $26.2 billion but as costs rose, the number of aircraft on order fell. In the end, in 2006 the project cost had risen to $62 billion for just 183 F-22s.
When production for the F-22 wound down in 2011, the cost had risen further with the whole program costing $67.3 billion. This put the price tag of each F-22 at about $360 million for each of the operational aircraft delivered. Multiple plans to procure more F-22s have come to nothing, with the cost of a new Raptor in 2010 estimated at around $227 million each. At this time, the USAF was exploring a possible 75 additional airframes. A study was actually conducted in 2016 as to how much resuming production of the F-22 would cost. This figure, for 194 additional F-22s was an eye watering $50 billion.
Why Can’t America Export The F-22 Fighter Jet?
Lockheed Martin would build 195 F-22s in total. Eight test aircraft with 187 operational examples. And not one example has gone for export. While costs have played a role, the main reason for its export ban is the stealth technology and classified features of the F-22. The F-35 does incorporate technology from the F-22. But the is cheaper and more flexible and thus available for export. Other air arms such as the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy use the F-35. Despite its own problems, the F-35 represents the pinnacle of military aircraft.
A 2010 defense authorization bill did include provisions that required the DoD to report on the costs and feasibility for an export version of the F-22. Japan, Australia and Israel have all explored the possibility of acquiring the F-22. But costs, its suitability for those countries chosen roles and the lack of its availability put paid to those efforts. For the most part, air arms looking at the F-22 Raptor would end up with the F-35 Lightning II instead. The Raptor though is still very much a core part of the US Air Force and its strategic air defense.The F-22 Is One Of America’s Most Lethal Aircraft
With two Pratt & Whitney F119 turbofans powering it, the F-22 has a top speed of Mach 2.25 or 1,500 mph. Its combat range of 530 miles is equally impressive, and it has proven itself in combat over the last few years. Operations in Syria were the aircraft’s first combat sorties, attacking targets belonging to Islamic State. The aircraft has proven itself very capable in the bombing role, although thankfully it’s not had a need to engage in air-to-air combat just yet. In terms of its service life, the F-22 will remain in service well into the 2030s.
From there, the US Air Forces Next Generation Air Dominance fighter will take over from the Raptor. Naturally, many details on this aircraft are top secret right now. This will serve alongside the F-35 which itself is set to be in service until 2070.The F-22 Raptor Has Had A Troubled Existence
via Military
The F-22 has certainly not had an easy upbringing. Its spiraling costs have threatened the project on multiple times, and even today its costs are high. It costs around $60,000 for one flight hour for the F-22. The ban on exports hasn’t helped Lockheed Martin recuperate more money from the aircraft either. Despite that though, its clear the F-22 is one of the best combat aircraft in the world right now. Against its main opposition like the Chegndu J-20, the Raptor is almost unmatched. Its fast, agile, can carry a large payload and its stealth technology is some of the very best. It might have cost a lot, but the F-22 may have been worth the investment.
Sources: Lockheed Martin, US Air Force
