The F-22 Is Still The 'King Of The Skies'

F-22

Popular Mechanics: At 20 Years Old, the F-22 is Still King of the Skies

The world's first fifth-generation fighter is nearly old enough to buy beer, but it's still without peer.

The F-22A fighter first took to the skies in 1997, ushering in a new age in jet fighters and inspiring a host of imitators. Twenty years later the Raptor is still king of the skies. But the fighter—which the U.S. Air Force intends to keep in service until 2060—is also due for a series of important upgrades to make sure it remains viable.

The F-22A Raptor was originally designed as a replacement for the F-15C Eagle. It was designed from the ground up as a the first of what would be a fifth generation of post-World War II fighters (the fourth generation being including planes such as the F-16 and F/A-18). Indeed, its characteristics including the ability to cruise at Mach 1.5 without afterburners, a high degree of stealth, and advanced weapons and avionics went on to define the entire category.

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WNU Editor: This "supremacy" in the skies may soon be a thing of the past .... This Is the Secret Way You Could Kill an F-35 and F-22 Stealth Fighter (National Interest).