Why the F-22 Raptor Still Dominates the Sky in 2025

The F-22 Raptor was heralded as a revolution in aerial combat when it initially went into service in 2005. The F-22 Raptor is still the uncontested monarch of the skies in 2025, some 20 years after the introduction of cutting-edge fighters like the F-35 Lightning II, Su-57, and J-20. The Raptor, the world’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter, was built by Lockheed Martin and continues to set the bar for air dominance thanks to its unparalleled stealth, speed, maneuverability, and avionics.

So why is the F-22 still a powerful weapon after 20 years? Let’s dissect the causes, examine professional viewpoints, and examine actual cases to demonstrate why the Raptor continues to dominate the skies.

The F-22’s Advantage in Stealth

One of the most crucial aspects of contemporary air combat is stealth. Because the F-22 has one of the lowest radar cross-sections (RCS) in the world, adversary radar can hardly detect it.

The Raptor was built with stealth in mind, unlike more recent stealth aircraft like Russia’s Su-57 or China’s J-20. It includes:

surfaces that absorb radar.

internal weapons bays (to prevent exterior pylon radar reflections).

surfaces that are angled to divert radar waves.

This gives the F-22 a significant first-strike advantage by enabling it to identify and fight adversaries before they even realize it is there.

Expert Opinion: According to Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), “The F-22 is still the world’s most stealth-optimized fighter.” Its stealth performance is still unmatched by even more recent aircraft, such as the J-20.

Supercruise and Unmatched Speed

The Raptor’s capacity to supercruise—fly at supersonic speeds without the use of afterburners—is one of its distinguishing characteristics. Even in 2025, this capability is uncommon because the majority of fighters still use fuel-draining afterburners to achieve supersonic flight.

Without afterburners, the F-22 can cruise at Mach 1.5+, which enables it to swiftly cover wide regions, pursue adversaries, or retire whenever necessary. One of the fastest fighters ever constructed, its peak speed is claimed to be near Mach 2.25.

For example, the F-22 has continuously outpaced and outmanoeuvred fourth-generation fighters like as the F-16 and F-15 in Red Flag drills, frequently achieving simulated kills undetected.

Superior Manoeuvrability

Because of its sophisticated aerodynamics and thrust-vectoring nozzles, the F-22 is renowned for its supermaneuvrability. This enables it to do high-angle-of-attack stunts, tight spins, and extreme maneuvers like the Cobra maneuver that are unmatched by any other operational fighter.

Because of its agility, the F-22 is practically invincible in close-quarters dogfights. The Raptor guarantees supremacy in both close-quarters and long-range combat, despite the fact that contemporary warfare frequently prioritizes beyond-visual-range (BVR) encounters.

Expert Opinion: Col. Terry L., a retired USAF pilot. “Flying against the Raptor is like fighting a ghost,” Scott once remarked. It’s already behind you by the time you believe you’ve seen it.

Advanced Sensor Fusion and Avionics

Even in 2025, the avionics of the F-22 are still cutting edge. Its AN/APG-77 AESA radar offers electronic warfare capabilities, low likelihood of intercept (LPI) transmissions, and an unparalleled detection range.

Pilots can have unmatched situational awareness because to the Raptor’s ability to combine sensor data from several sources onto a single display, unlike prior aircraft. This facilitates quicker and more efficient decision-making, which frequently gives the F-22 the crucial advantage in battle.

For Example, F-22 pilots served as “quarterbacks” during joint NATO drills, guiding allied planes by exchanging sensor data. This proves that the Raptor is useful as a force multiplier in addition to a killer.

The Arsenal of the Raptor

The F-22 maintains its stealth profile by carrying a lethal combination of weaponry in its internal bays. These consist of:

For kills beyond visual range, use AIM-120D AMRAAMs.

AIM-9X Sidewinders for dogfights at close range.

Extremely close battle with the 20mm M61 Vulcan weapon.

This combination guarantees that the Raptor can prevail in every type of engagement, whether close-quarters battles at the last minute or long-range missile duels.

Why the F-22 Continues to Outperform Potential Competitors

F-35 Lightning II against.

Despite being very sophisticated and adaptable, the F-35 was not created as a specialized air superiority plane but rather as a multirole fighter. In terms of speed, altitude, and agility in dogfighting, the F-22 continues to outperform it.

F-22 Raptor against Su-57 Felon

Although observers point out that Russia’s Su-57 has an inferior stealth profile, it boasts supermaneuvrability and limited stealth. Its influence on the battlefield is further limited by its low manufacturing numbers.

F-22 Raptor vs the Mighty Dragon J-20

Although China’s J-20 has improved recently, particularly with new engines, analysts contend that it lacks the Raptor’s close-combat agility and stealth optimization and instead favors long-range confrontations.

Expert Opinion: According to Forbes, airpower specialist David Axe stated that while China’s J-20 may appear spectacular, the F-22’s stealth and mobility would probably give it the advantage in a head-to-head conflict.

Limitations of the F-22

Notwithstanding its supremacy, the Raptor has difficulties:

Expensive Maintenance: Every hour of flying needs substantial assistance.

Limited Manufacturing: They are a unique asset because just 187 were produced.

Fleet Aging: Nearly 20 years old as of 2025, the fleet is still relevant thanks to updates.

The U.S. Air Force, however, makes significant investments to maintain the F-22’s superiority by adding modern avionics, sensors, and missiles.

The Future: Beyond NGAD

The F-22 will ultimately be replaced by a sixth-generation fighter under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program being developed by the United States. However, the Raptor will continue to be America’s primary air superiority weapon until NGAD is operational.

Many analysts predict that the F-22 will remain in service with more modern aircraft far into the 2030s, despite the emergence of NGAD.

The F-22 Raptor continues to rule the skies in 2025. It is still the most feared air superiority fighter in the world thanks to its unparalleled stealth, speed, mobility, and cutting-edge avionics. Although competitors like the J-20 and Su-57 appear formidable on paper, no aircraft has yet demonstrated that it can outperform the Raptor in battle.

The F-22 is a symbol of air superiority and more than just a fighter jet, as analysts frequently state. As the ultimate defender of American air dominance, the Raptor will continue to dominate the skies until sixth-generation fighters like NGAD arrive.