5th Generation Fighter Jet Comparison: F-22 Raptor VS F-35 Lightning II

The F35 Lightning II is a Lockheed Martin aircraft, first introduced in 2015. The F-22 Raptor, on the other hand, was first introduced in 2005 by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. 

Most of the airframe and weapon system for F-22 was developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, while Boeing Defense, Space & Security contributed to the development of wings and integration of avionics and training systems. 

Video Source: Out Of Your Mind

In 1991, the US Air Force declared Lockheed and Pratt Whitney as the winners of the program. That was how the F-22 Raptor was born. Now let us take a quick look at the specifications of F-22.

F-22 Raptor is a twin-engine, stealth tactical fighter developed exclusively for the United States Air Force. The aircraft was originally designed as an air superiority aircraft but it also has other capabilities like electronic warfare, signal interception, ground attack, etc.

F-22 is a fifth-generation air superiority aircraft. Although, in stealth technology, it is considered a fourth-generation fighter. It is one of the few aircraft which have supermaneuverability, supercruise, stealth, and sensor fusion, all in a single platform.

Whereas, The F-35 Lightning II is a product of the Joint Strike Fighter program. On November 16, 1996, Lockheed Martin and Boeing were awarded contracts for the Joint Strike Fighter program. 

Each firm had to develop two aircraft to showcase conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), carrier takeoff and landing, and short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL). On 26 October 2001, Lockheed Martin’s X-35 was declared the winner of the program. 

In July 2015, the STOVL variant F-35B was inducted into the United States Marine Corps. Now, let’s take a look at what all features make the F-35 a good multirole aircraft.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of fifth-generation, single-engine, stealth multirole aircraft designed primarily for strike missions. The F-35 is the first operational STOVL stealth aircraft.