Few issues in modern military aviation provoke more discussion than the ongoing comparison of the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II. Both are symbols of peak American air combat technology, but they were designed for different missions. Each possesses its strengths and limitations, and as the world’s air forces start to modernize and new threats emerge, understanding what makes them different has never been more important.
The F-22 Raptor came from the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter program, a collaborative effort between Lockheed Martin and Boeing with its exclusive focus on air dominance. The aircraft first took to the skies in 1997, built to be strong, agile, and virtually undetectable by radar — a force to be feared in the skies. With its limited production of around 180 units and its export banned due to its highly sensitive technology, the Raptor has been a scarce yet mighty resource. Even though production stopped in 2011, the Air Force continues to upgrade the fleet so that it can compete in the years ahead.
The F-35 Lightning II, on the other hand, was produced under the Joint Strike Fighter program as a more versatile, multirole aircraft. Lockheed Martin developed three versions to cover the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. The F-35 has been the most deployed fifth-generation fighter in the world since its first flight in 2006 and official entry into service in 2015, with over a thousand planes delivered and thousands of flight hours logged.
When raw flying ability is taken into account, the F-22 retains a clear superiority. It has a Mach 2.25 speed.
The F-35 was never intended to be a speed demon, however. Its forte is in cutting-edge electronics and adaptability. The latest sensors, like AESA radar and an Electro-Optical Targeting System, give pilots world-beating situational awareness. The aircraft’s ability to integrate data from many different sources makes it simple to fly in coordination with other forces, thriving on complex, modern-day battlefields.
Flexibility is where the F-35 really shines. While the F-22 flies solo as an air-to-air fighter, the F-35 has no difficulty changing hats — air-to-ground strikes, reconnaissance missions, anti-ship attacks, and even nuclear deterrence. With its internal and external weapons bays, it is a force multiplier, conducting operations across air, sea, land, and cyberspace versatility allows it to be the “quarterback” of the air, directing tasks that the F-22 was never designed to.
Both planes are stealthy but utilize different methods. The bigger F-22, with an external weapons bay, has a variable radar signature depending on how it is configured. The F-35 was designed to minimize detection by the most common forms of radars in modern air warfare. Its state-of-the-art avionics enable pilots to see more of the battle space without being seen, which is a massive tactical advantage.
This type of capability does come with a price tag. The F-35 program is one of the most expensive defense projects in history, with an estimated life-cycle price tag of over $2 trillion. Heavy maintenance needs, ongoing modernization, and complex repairs are keeping officials concerned about affordability and preparedness. The military has had to deal with flight schedules and continue to develop engines and cooling systems but yet retain some residual technological risk.
Flying these planes requires more than flight skills. Pilots must become experts in interpreting sensor data, making split-second tactical decisions, and orchestrating multi-domain operations. Fifth-generation fighters are data-reliant, engaging the enemy much of the time by virtue of data relayed from sensors rather than visual contact. Training centers on solving problems, self-assurance, and being able to take decisive action in fast-changing environments.
Peering into the future, the Air Force is already planning next-generation air dominance with the coming F-47, which falls under the Next-Generation Air Dominance program. With expected longer range, enhanced stealth, and enhanced flexibility over the F-22, the F-47 is set to be more affordable as well as modular, able to remain a step ahead of emerging threats.
Ultimately, the rivalry between F-22 and F-35 is not to declare one of them an outright superior. It is to show how air combat priorities have shifted. The Raptor will remain best in clean dogfighting, and the Lightning II is best at synchronized, multi-domain operations. As technology continues to evolve and threats grow more complicated, the lessons learned by both aircraft will affect the future of air warfare for decades.
