F-35 vs F-22 Raptor: Ultimate Comparison of America’s Stealth Fighters

Table of Contents

F-35 Lightning II vs F-22 Raptor in flight

The world of modern air combat is dominated by two American-made legends—the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II. These fifth-generation fighter jets represent the pinnacle of aerospace technology, combining stealth, supersonic speed, and unmatched situational awareness. Yet, while both are advanced stealth aircraft, they serve very different purposes on the battlefield.

This article provides an in-depth comparison of the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, exploring their development, design, specifications, combat capabilities, operational use, costs, and future upgrades. By the end, you’ll understand why these aircraft are not rivals but rather complementary forces in maintaining U.S. and allied air dominance.

Introduction: The Debate of F-22 vs F-35

The F-22 Raptor is often hailed as the world’s best air superiority fighter, designed to dominate enemy aircraft in aerial combat. Meanwhile, the F-35 Lightning II is a multirole stealth fighter, engineered for versatility across air-to-air, air-to-ground, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions.

Comparing them requires more than just numbers—it’s about understanding their intended roles and how they fit into modern and future warfare strategies.

Technical Specifications

Feature	F-22 Raptor	F-35 Lightning II
Top Speed	Mach 2.25	Mach 1.6
Combat Range	460 miles	670 miles
Engines	2 × Pratt & Whitney F119	1 × Pratt & Whitney F135
Thrust Vectoring	Yes	No
Payload Capacity	20,000 lbs	18,000 lbs
Service Ceiling	65,000 ft	50,000 ft

From the table, it’s clear the F-22 excels in speed and altitude, while the F-35 provides greater range and versatility.

Development History: Two Different Programs, Two Different Goals

F-22 Raptor Origins

• Born from the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program in the 1980s.
• Built by Lockheed Martin with Boeing as a partner.
• Entered service in 2005, becoming the world’s first fifth-generation fighter.
• Production capped at 187 units due to high costs, budget constraints, and the absence of peer competitors at the time.

The F-22 was designed for air dominance—ensuring U.S. superiority in the skies during conflicts with advanced adversaries.

F-35 Lightning II Origins

• Conceived under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in the 1990s.
• Developed by Lockheed Martin with a focus on affordability and global partnership.
• Entered service in 2015, now produced in large numbers with over 1,000 units delivered worldwide.
• Designed as a multirole aircraft with three main variants:
  • F-35A – Conventional takeoff and landing.
  • F-35B – Short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL).
  • F-35C – Carrier-based operations for the U.S. Navy.

Unlike the F-22, the F-35 was built for export and mass deployment, making it the backbone of many allied air forces.

Design and Stealth Features

F-22 Raptor Design

• Twin-engine layout for speed and maneuverability.
• Angular stealth profile with radar-absorbing coatings.
• Thrust vectoring nozzles provide exceptional agility in dogfights.
• Optimized for supercruise, the ability to fly supersonic without afterburners.

F-35 Lightning II Design

• Single-engine design with a focus on cost efficiency.
• Advanced stealth optimized for survivability against modern radar systems.
• Sensor fusion technology integrates data from multiple sensors, giving pilots unmatched situational awareness.
• Designed to act as a networked warfare platform, linking with drones, ships, and ground units.

Weapons and Armament

F-22 Raptor Weapons

• Internal Weapons Bays: Preserve stealth; house air-to-air missiles.
• AIM-120 AMRAAM: Medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile for beyond-visual-range engagements.
• AIM-9 Sidewinder: Short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile.
• 20mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon: High rate-of-fire rotary cannon for close combat.
• Precision-Guided Munitions: Limited capability for ground targets using JDAM or similar bombs.

F-22 Raptor load crew prepares AIM-9 Sidewinder missile at Holloman AFB

The F-22 is primarily optimized for air superiority, excelling at destroying enemy fighters while maintaining stealth. Ground attack capability is secondary and limited.

F-35 Lightning II Weapons

F-35 Lightning II load crew loads AIM-120 missiles at Nellis AFB

• Internal Weapons Bays: Maintain stealth while carrying air-to-air missiles and bombs.
• External Hardpoints: Expand payload capacity when stealth is not a priority.
• Air-to-Air Missiles: AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, and potential future missiles for fleet interoperability.
• Air-to-Ground Munitions: GBU-12/31/32 Paveway laser-guided bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), and small diameter bombs (SDB).
• Cruise Missiles: Capable of carrying B61 nuclear bombs in NATO service.
• 25mm GAU-22/A Cannon: Four-barrel rotary cannon mounted internally for strafing or air combat.
• Electronic Warfare Payloads: Advanced targeting pods, sensors, and electronic attack systems for multirole missions.

The F-35 is a multirole fighter designed for strike missions, close air support, and air superiority, with flexible loadouts making it extremely versatile in modern combat scenarios.

Combat Performance and Mission Roles

F-22 Raptor Strengths

• Superior in dogfighting and air superiority missions.
• Unmatched speed, altitude, and stealth.
• Designed to counter enemy fighters like the Su-57 and J-20.

F-35 Lightning II Strengths

• Excels in multirole operations, including ground strike and intelligence gathering.
• Sensor fusion provides unparalleled battlefield awareness.
• Operates from aircraft carriers and short runways, giving it flexibility across branches.

Operational Deployment

• F-22 Raptor: Operated only by the U.S. Air Force, deployed in limited numbers. Used mainly for strategic deterrence and air dominance patrols.
• F-35 Lightning II: Operated by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and numerous allied nations including the UK, Japan, Australia, Italy, and Israel. It is the most widely used fifth-generation fighter jet in the world.

Cost and Maintenance

• F-22 Raptor: Extremely costly, with unit costs around $150 million. Maintenance is complex and parts are limited due to production ending in 2012.
• F-35 Lightning II: Lower per-unit cost, now estimated at $80 million for the F-35A. Designed with maintenance efficiency in mind, though still expensive compared to legacy jets.

The affordability of the F-35 makes it more sustainable for long-term operations and export.

Future Modernization and Upgrades

F-22 Raptor Upgrades

• Advanced avionics and software updates.
• Integration of new air-to-air weapons.
• Enhanced stealth coatings for survivability.
• Will remain in service until at least the 2030s, before being replaced by the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

F-35 Lightning II Upgrades

• Ongoing Block 4 software upgrades, adding new weapons and capabilities.
• Improved sensors and electronic warfare systems.
• Integration with loyal wingman drones and future unmanned systems.
• Expected to serve until 2070 or beyond.

F-22 vs F-35: Which Is Better?

The answer depends on the mission:

• The F-22 is unmatched in air-to-air combat, making it the best dogfighter in history.
• The F-35 is a multirole powerhouse, excelling in versatility, strike missions, and intelligence gathering.

Instead of rivals, they complement each other—the F-22 secures air dominance, while the F-35 carries out precision strikes and supports ground operations.

Conclusion: Complementary Titans of the Sky

The F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II showcase America’s technological superiority in air combat. Each jet was designed with unique goals: the Raptor dominates the skies against enemy fighters, while the Lightning II brings versatility, affordability, and global interoperability.

Together, they form the backbone of U.S. and allied air power—ensuring not only victory in present conflicts but also dominance well into the future.