F-22 Raptors: US ‘Intimidates’ Russia, China, Iran With Super Stealthy Jets; Emerge ‘Warplanes Of Choice’ To Deflate Rivals

The F-22 Raptor fighter jet, which is expected to be replaced by the ‘Next Generation Air Dominance’ (NGAD) aircraft, has demonstrated its position as a key warplane in the United States Air Force (USAF) inventory.

In a recent show of force and growing military integration, the Raptors participated in Australia’s large military drill, ‘Pitch Black 2024.’ The US Air Force sent six F-22 Raptors from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., to Tindal last month—marking the first time the F-22A took part in this exercise.

The USAF noted that the Raptors flew about 80 sorties throughout the drills while integrating with 19 other countries. The USAF maintains that the F-22A has a distinct advantage in any combat scenario due to its advanced stealth technology, remarkable maneuverability, and ability to supercruise.

The service said in its official statement that “Its deployment in Exercise Pitch Black allows European and Pacific Forces alike to experience firsthand the operational advantages it brings, fostering interoperability and enhancing collective defense strategies.”

The deployment is of considerable importance, as Australia could potentially support the United States in the event of an expanded Indo-Pacific conflict involving China.

It has been widely understood that in case of a conflict between the US and China over Taiwan, US military bases in the Pacific, like Hawaii and Guam, could be used as launchpads for US air operations. However, if the US has access to the Darwin air base and Australia decides to assist the US, this Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base could be used by US fighters and bombers for Indo-Pacific operations.

Canberra, however, has not shown any interest in assisting the US in a conflict with Beijing.

Nonetheless, the first-ever deployment of the F-22 Raptor to the Australian military drills is noteworthy, occurring amidst ongoing debates about its future within the military. While the Raptors were initially slated to be retired and succeeded by the sixth-generation NGAD by the 2040s, the current uncertainty regarding the NGAD leaves the Raptors without a designated successor for the time being.

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall announced on July 30 that the US Air Force would pause the Next Generation Air Dominance program for several months to assess whether it is “on the right course” with the fighter program meant to replace the F-22.

Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, head of Air Combat Command, had said, “There isn’t an F-22 replacement.” “The F-22 is a fantastic aircraft. We’re actually planning several upgrades to the jet as we speak, and there is no official replacement to the F-22 right now.” He explained: “There is no official F-22 replacement. There isn’t. Because we haven’t decided…We haven’t done a source selection.”

On top of that, there is an increasing push to keep the older F-22 Raptors that the military has been planning to retire for some time. The USAF intends to retire 32 older Block 20 jets, as upgrading them is projected to cost millions of dollars, which the service believes could be better allocated elsewhere. Nevertheless, even the watchdog Government Accountability Office (GAO) has raised concerns about the possibility of decommissioning of these aging fifth-generation jets.

Amid the chaotic uncertainty surrounding the NGAD and the challenges faced by the USAF in retiring the F-22 Raptors, these aircraft have emerged as the ‘fighter of choice’ for forward deployment in tense areas, aimed at deterring adversaries of the United States as well as its allies.

Raptors Are Everywhere!

With tensions flaring between Iran and Israel in the wake of Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination on Iranian soil, a USAF fighter squadron consisting of stealthy F-22 Raptors has reportedly been dispatched to Iran’s doorstep along with other cutting-edge equipment.

The deployment of USAF’s premier fifth-generation aircraft comes even though the F-15E Strike Eagles, the F-16 Fighting Falcons, and the A-10 Warthogs are already deployed to the US Central Command. While the F-22 Raptor has not been used in combat against Iran, its capabilities and prowess offer a strategic advantage to the US military.

The Raptor’s stealth, speed, and advanced systems provide massive operational benefits, from securing air dominance to supporting broader military objectives in the hostile region.