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If the news about the American flagship, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, seemed bleak in 2023, the narrative has certainly shifted by 2024. In the military, no matter where you are in the world, there’s an unwritten rule: “Every order is second to last.” It appears the F-22 Raptor is poised to benefit from this maxim.
According to sources, the latest budget documents for the fiscal year 2025 outline a plan for the Raptor to continue its role in providing national defense and cruise missile capabilities “through 2040.” This funding request includes nearly $10 billion over the next few years, designated for upgrades to the F-22’s weapons, communications, navigation systems, pilot-vehicle interface, and electronic warfare suite.
Why is the “Raptor revival” on hold? The U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance [NGAD] program hit a pause, driven by tight budgets and a reassessment of its design and needs. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall pointed out the importance of thoroughly reviewing the aircraft’s concept and operational features, particularly as financial pressures arise from other priorities like the B-21 Raider and Sentinel ICBM. Additionally, the debate over whether the fighter should be manned or unmanned could heavily influence its design.
This pause ties into the Air Force’s overall strategy to make sure NGAD keeps pace with rapidly advancing technologies, especially considering the innovations from potential adversaries. Air Force officials are looking into ways to simplify the program to keep costs down and adapt to a fast-changing battlefield environment. As they weigh these factors, the timeline for NGAD’s development might stretch up to two years.
When discussing the “Raptor” supply chain, we must highlight Pratt & Whitney, the producer of the F119 RTX engine, and they’ve already seen significant changes. The F119 engine, which drives the F-22 Raptor, has shown notable improvements in performance thanks to advancements in digital health management and maintenance strategies.
Pratt & Whitney has rolled out a Usage-Based Lifing [UBL] program, enabling real-time monitoring of engine health by merging flight data with advanced maintenance algorithms.
Furthermore, the F119 engine has proven its incredible durability and reliability through extensive testing that mimics real-world operational use. In 2019, Pratt & Whitney reported a fleet-wide engine readiness rate of 95 percent, showcasing the engine’s advanced engineering and extraordinary design capabilities.
Thanks to continuous performance improvements and a considerable reduction in production costs, the F119 stands out as one of the top turbofan engines in service today. These advancements not only reinforce the F-22’s dominance in modern aerial combat but also lay a strong groundwork for future upgrades and innovative technologies.
There’s speculation surrounding the F-22’s sensors. On September 3, Raytheon received a substantial contract from the USAF worth over $1 billion for undisclosed upgrades to a stealth jet’s onboard sensors. While the specific aircraft hasn’t been officially named, some American analysts believe the Raptor is the focus of this contract. However, this has not been confirmed and remains speculative for now.
Originally engineered to dominate in air superiority, the F-22 has repeatedly showcased its unmatched agility, stealth, and combat prowess. With continuous upgrades and maintenance, the aircraft is poised to remain a vital element of the U.S. Air Force’s fleet, ensuring that American airpower maintains its superiority in an increasingly complex global threat environment.
With defense budgets under tight scrutiny and fast-paced technological advancements, the U.S. Air Force faces the challenge of balancing reliance on tried-and-true legacy systems with the need to invest in next-generation technologies. The decision to keep the F-22 operational underscores the urgency of accelerating the NGAD program and ensuring that the U.S. remains ready for the complexities of modern warfare.
BULGARIAN MILITARY