Ever wondered why the U.S. Air Force only has 186 F-22 Raptors and isn’t building more?
Ever wondered why the U.S. Air Force only has 186 F-22 Raptors and isn’t building more? The story behind this limited fleet is rooted in a series of strategic shifts and budgetary constraints that have shaped U.S. military planning over the last few decades.
Initially, the Air Force had big plans for the F-22, aiming to acquire 750 of these cutting-edge fighters to replace the aging fleet of F-15 Eagles. However, after the events of 9/11, the focus of the U.S. military shifted drastically. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan prioritized counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, which required different capabilities. These conflicts didn’t call for the air superiority strengths of the F-22, but rather more versatile and cost-effective platforms. As a result, the Air Force decided to cut F-22 production short and shift its resources to the F-35 Lightning II program, a multi-role fighter better suited for the changing demands of modern warfare.
In 2011, F-22 production was officially halted, leaving the Air Force with only 186 of these highly advanced aircraft. Restarting the production line today would be an incredibly costly endeavor, with estimates suggesting it would cost around $50 billion to build just 194 more Raptors. Beyond the financial burden, the F-22 has also begun to show its age. Despite being unmatched in air superiority, the Raptor’s maintenance has become increasingly difficult due to a lack of spare parts. The Air Force has even resorted to cannibalizing older aircraft to keep the fleet operational.
While the F-22 remains an exceptional fighter, capable of outclassing most current adversaries, the reality is that technology is advancing at a breakneck pace. The Air Force recognizes this and is looking ahead to the future, where sixth-generation fighters will be essential to maintain air dominance against near-peer competitors like Russia and China. This forward-thinking approach has led to the development of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
NGAD is expected to deliver a fighter that not only surpasses the capabilities of the F-22 but redefines air combat. Instead of simply building a more advanced fighter, NGAD aims to create a “family of systems” that combines manned and unmanned aircraft, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge stealth technologies. The NGAD fighter will likely control a fleet of unmanned drones — known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) — which will act as loyal wingmen, extending the fighter’s reach, improving its situational awareness, and multiplying its combat effectiveness. These drones will carry sensors, jammers, and even missiles, enabling the NGAD pilot to engage more targets without risking additional human lives.
The Air Force’s decision to phase out the F-22 is also driven by the limitations of legacy systems. While the Raptor was state-of-the-art when it first entered service, emerging technologies such as advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and even onboard lasers are now feasible and must be incorporated into future aircraft from the start.
In short, the U.S. Air Force isn’t building more F-22s because it’s focused on developing something even more fearsome — an aircraft designed for the challenges of tomorrow, not yesterday. With NGAD, the Air Force hopes to ensure that the U.S. maintains air superiority well into the future, adapting to the rapid pace of technological progress and the evolving nature of warfare.
