Walk into any aviation forum and you’ll spark an immediate debate: F-22 or F-35? Fighter jet enthusiasts treat this question like a blood sport. But here’s what most people get wrong—these jets weren’t built to compete with each other.
The difference between F-22 Raptor and F-35 comes down to mission design. The F-22 is a pure air superiority fighter that dominates dogfights. The F-35 is a multi-role workhorse built for versatility. One’s a scalpel, the other’s a Swiss Army knife.
Both are fifth-generation stealth fighters. Both cost taxpayers billions. But the F-22 can’t do what the F-35 does, and the F-35 can’t match the F-22’s raw performance. Understanding why matters more in 2025 than ever before.
This comparison breaks down speed, stealth, cost, combat records, and real-world performance. You’ll learn which jet wins in specific scenarios and why the U.S. military needs both.
F-22 Raptor vs F-35 Lightning II: At a Glance
The specs tell part of the story. The F-22 hits Mach 2.25—that’s 1,500 mph with supercruise capability. The F-35 tops out at Mach 1.6. Speed matters when you’re intercepting enemy aircraft at high altitude.
Cost reveals the bigger difference. The F-22 Raptor cost runs between $143-150 million per unit. Add in research and development, and you’re looking at $334 million per aircraft. The F-35 cost vs F-22 shows a massive gap—F-35A units now cost around $80 million.
The F-22 stopped production in 2012 after just 187 units. The F-35 production continues with over 1,000 delivered globally. Fourteen countries operate F-35s. Only the U.S. Air Force flies the F-22.
First flights happened nine years apart. The F-22 flew in 1997 during the tail end of Cold War thinking. The F-35 took off in 2006, designed for modern multi-domain warfare.
Different Jets, Different Missions
The F-22 emerged from the Advanced Tactical Fighter program in the 1980s. Soviet fighters were the threat. American planners wanted absolute air dominance. They got it.
This F-22 air superiority fighter was built for one job: kill enemy aircraft before they know you’re there. Twin Pratt & Whitney engines generate 70,000 pounds of thrust with afterburners. Thrust vectoring nozzles let it pull maneuvers that defy physics.
The F-22 vs F-35 specifications show why speed matters. The Raptor climbs at 62,000 feet per minute. It supercruises at Mach 1.8 without afterburners, saving fuel while maintaining combat speed.
The F-35 came from the Joint Strike Fighter program. Three branches needed aircraft. The solution? Three variants of one design. The F-35A uses conventional runways. The F-35B lands vertically like a Harrier. The F-35C operates from aircraft carriers.
This F-35 multi-role fighter replaces aging F-16s, F/A-18s, and Harriers across allied forces. It strikes ground targets, engages aircraft, gathers intelligence, and coordinates other assets. Jack of all trades, master of networked warfare.
Speed, Stealth, and Performance
The F-22 speed advantage is undeniable. Mach 2.25 versus Mach 1.6 seems minor until you calculate intercept times. Those extra 300 mph mean reaching threats faster and escaping danger quicker.
But the F-35 top speed doesn’t tell the whole story. Modern combat happens beyond visual range. Sensors detect enemies 100 miles away. Missiles launch before pilots see each other.
The F-22 maneuverability still dominates dogfights. Its thrust-to-weight ratio of 1.08 beats the F-35’s 0.87. Thrust vectoring nozzles rotate engine exhaust, pulling turns that stress human pilots before stressing airframes.
Twin engines versus single engine impacts survival too. Lose one F-22 engine and you limp home. Lose the F-35’s single engine and you eject.
Both jets use stealth technology, but differently. The stealth fighter comparison shows the F-22’s radar cross section resembles a marble. The F-35’s signature looks like a golf ball. Tiny difference, huge implications when enemy radar sweeps the sky.
The F-22 maintains all-aspect stealth from every angle. The F-35 prioritizes frontal stealth, accepting slightly higher signatures from other aspects. Design philosophy matters—the F-22 hunts fighters, the F-35 strikes targets.
Comparison Table:
| Feature | F-22 Raptor | F-35 Lightning II |
|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | Mach 2.25 | Mach 1.6 |
| Unit Cost | $143-150 million | $80-109 million |
| Primary Role | Air Superiority | Multi-role |
| First Flight | 1997 | 2006 |
| Production Status | Ended 2012 | Active |
| Operators | US Only | 14+ Countries |
Breaking Down the Price Difference
The F-22 cost vs F-35 explains why production ended. At $334 million per unit including development, Congress balked. The 2009 recession killed dreams of 750 F-22s. Production stopped at 187.
The F-35 cost vs F-22 makes budget analysts smile. F-35A units dropped from $122 million in 2019 to $80 million in 2022. Volume production drives costs down. Over 3,000 planned globally means economies of scale.
Fighter jet operating costs reveal long-term pain. The F-22 burns $85,000 per flight hour. Maintenance eats budgets. Stealth coatings require constant care. The F-35 runs $33,000-44,000 per flight hour—still expensive but manageable.
Why F-22 stopped production involves politics and priorities. Export restrictions meant no foreign buyers. The F-35 sells to allies, spreading costs across partner nations. International industrial participation creates jobs in member countries.
The cost per flight hour comparison includes an F-16 baseline at $22,000. Neither stealth fighter competes on operating costs. But the military accepts higher expenses for survivability.
Weapons and Combat Capability
The F-22 weapons loadout emphasizes air-to-air combat. Internal bays carry six AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles and two AIM-9 Sidewinders. A 20mm cannon holds 480 rounds. Everything stays internal to maintain stealth.
Limited ground-attack capability constrains the F-22. It carries Joint Direct Attack Munitions but lacks the F-35’s precision targeting systems.
The F-35 weapons systems offer flexibility. Internal bays plus external hardpoints mean more ordnance when stealth isn’t critical. The GAU-12/U 25mm cannon (external pod on F-35A, internal on B/C) provides close support.
Nuclear strike capability sets the F-35 apart. The B61-12 nuclear bomb integration makes it a strategic asset. The F-22 carries no nukes.
Anti-ship operations and electronic warfare give the F-35 edges in modern warfare. It’s not just a fighter—it’s a mini-AWACS, bomber, and electronic attack platform rolled into one.
Technology and Sensors
The F-35 vs F-22 technology gap favors the newer jet. The F-22’s AN/APG-77 AESA radar is excellent but built on 1990s computing architecture. The F-35’s AN/APG-81 benefits from 21st-century processors.
The F-35 sensors create battlefield awareness the F-22 can’t match. The Distributed Aperture System provides 360-degree coverage. Six infrared cameras show threats in all directions simultaneously.
IRST comparison shows evolution. The F-35’s Electro-Optical Targeting System detects heat signatures passively. The F-22 lacks integrated IRST, though upgrades were proposed.
The sensor fusion advantage makes the F-35 a “quarterback” in networked warfare. It collects data from satellites, ships, ground stations, and other aircraft. Pilots see one integrated picture instead of multiple competing displays.
Helmet-mounted displays in the F-35 feed targeting data directly to pilot vision. Look at a target, designate it, fire. The F-22 uses traditional head-up displays.
Read Also: Jets That Evade Radar Detection
Combat Records Speak Volumes
The F-22 combat record started in September 2014 over Syria. It flew 204 sorties during Operation Inherent Resolve, striking ISIS targets and deterring Russian aircraft. Zero losses. Zero defeats.
But limited combat employment raises questions. The F-22 shot down a Chinese spy balloon in 2023—hardly a challenging adversary. It hasn’t faced peer competitors in actual combat.
The F-35 combat history is extensive. Israel first used it in May 2018, striking Iranian facilities in Syria. The U.S. Air Force followed in April 2019 over Iraq. Marines deployed F-35Bs to Afghanistan.
Israeli F-35s have struck targets across the Middle East with impunity. Iranian air defenses—designed to counter fourth-generation fighters—struggle to detect them.
By 2025, F-35s operate from 14 militaries across multiple combat zones. They’ve proven reliability under fire and maintained high mission success rates.
Who Wins Different Scenarios?
In a pure dogfight comparison, the F-22 destroys the F-35. Superior speed, climb rate, and thrust vectoring end the debate. Pilots who’ve flown both confirm it.
Beyond visual range combat slightly favors the F-22. Better stealth and higher speed mean first-shot opportunities. But the F-35’s sensors narrow the gap considerably.
Ground attack missions belong to the F-35. Better targeting systems, more weapons variety, and nuclear capability make it the obvious choice for strike operations.
Multi-domain operations showcase F-35 advantages. Its data fusion and networking turn it into a force multiplier. Allied interoperability matters more than raw performance in modern warfare.
Cost-effectiveness clearly favors the F-35. Lower acquisition costs, cheaper operations, and export potential make it sustainable long-term.
Read Also: F-16 Ride Along
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, F-22 or F-35?
Depends entirely on the mission. The F-22 dominates air superiority roles. The F-35 excels at versatility. They weren’t designed to replace each other but to complement different needs.
Can the F-35 beat the F-22 in a dogfight?
Unlikely in a pure turning fight. The F-22’s maneuverability and thrust vectoring give overwhelming advantages. However, the F-35 would use sensors to avoid dogfights entirely, engaging from distance.
Why did they stop making F-22s?
Cost killed production. At $334 million per unit with development costs, the 2009 recession made 750 aircraft impossible. Congress chose the more affordable F-35 program instead.
How many F-22 and F-35 does the US have?
The U.S. operates 178 active F-22s from 187 produced. The F-35 fleet exceeds 600 aircraft and grows monthly with ongoing production.
Which costs more to operate?
The F-22 burns $85,000 per flight hour versus $33,000-44,000 for the F-35. Maintenance requirements make the F-22 significantly more expensive over its lifetime.
The Verdict
The difference between F-22 Raptor and F-35 isn’t about which jet is “better.” They serve different roles in modern air warfare.
The F-22 remains the undefeated air superiority champion. Nothing matches its dogfighting capability. But dated technology and extreme costs limit its strategic value.
The F-35 represents the future of air combat. Superior sensors, networking capability, and multi-role flexibility make it indispensable. Fourteen countries trust their air forces to it.
Both jets complement each other in the original vision. The F-22 clears the skies. The F-35 strikes targets and coordinates assets. Together, they form an unbeatable combination.
The U.S. military isn’t choosing between them, it’s using both until next-generation fighters arrive. That’s the real lesson. Sometimes you need the knife fighter. Sometimes you need the battle manager. America’s air dominance depends on having both ready. For more information, visit Crew Daily.
