F-22 Raptor: The Ultimate King of Air Supremacy

[@megaprojects9649]

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[@jeremiah-gowdy]

Have you considered doing Nebula?

[@waitingforanalibi2224]

Not so much that they reduce the strength of the radar return, more so they scatter the waves. More a dilution of the return if you will.

[@shankshoanatlprez4453]

YF-23's fuel economy would have paid for the price difference in costs between the two. You forgot to mention the Pratt and Whitney engines in YF-23 are the same used in the F-22 now. YF-23 should have been choosen by the US Navy due to its fuel economy alone. Also it should be noted that even without thrust vectoring. The YF-23's aggressive V tails could match the F-22's thrust vectoring. Don't get me wrong, I love both the F-22 and YF-23. But it was such a waste not to use the YF-23 in some capacity.

[@inhimwelive3951]

Biden says white supremacy is the ultimate threat. F22 has got nothing on Biden.

[@protorhinocerator142]

No, this is not true at all. The F-15 is the king of Air Supremacy. The F-22 is the king of Air Dominance, which is the next thing up. Air dominance means nothing flies at all unless we say it flies.

[@happilyham6769]

The fact that the F-22 was never sold to other countries speaks volumes as to how amazing of an aircraft it truly is. Even the US's closest allies are not allowed to own this aircraft.

[@agrxda]

So only the US has any F-22's? I didn't know that, are there any other examples like this? What about the F-35 II?

[@theyrealltaken3]

​@agrxda yes lots of examples. Off top of head, B2, F117. F35 is the first stealth plane sold to US allies.

[@SpecOps140]

Reason why the F22 wasn't sold was because it was too expensive. And the program shut down to make way for the JSF program that went on to produce the F35. Lockheed did offer Japan a F22/F35 hybrid, but they declined Edit: Im going to need everyone from here on out (Jan 9th, 2024) to know that you aren't the first to reply to me. And I sincerely don't give a hot fuck about what you have to say.

[@SpecOps140]

​@@theyrealltaken3B1, A10...

[@SpecOps140]

@chollyappleseed1969 bullshit, the Act passed during the Clinton administration was just an after thought. While the F22 was being designed in the 80s I bet my left nut Lockheed had full intentions to sell to foreign markets. We've all been fed the revisionist history version of events

[@eggroll0857]

F-22: Would you intercept me?....I'd intercept me...

[@mbpaintballa]

I see you like to cross lines.

[@Kitt_the_Katt]

I'm going to tell him

[@NinjaRunningWild]

It puts the stealth coating on its skin or it gets the radar again.

[@Qballl]

Is that asbestos? Doesnt smell like it

[@mbpaintballa]

@@Qballl this is the reason why everybody calls hr on you.

[@Mortico88]

I think the fact that the F-22 didn't see much combat is partly because it was a successful deterrent. No one tried to contest airspace, because the F-22 ruled the skies.

[@paulparker8298]

It was a waste of money, it done nothing apart from the odd air show ! More money for the industrial military complex!!

[@caesarsalad1170]

@@paulparker8298 Ignorance is bliss

[@zenithskull]

@@paulparker8298waste of money? It’s still the best jet for air dominance in the world .

[@Darren-yu6hf]

@@zenithskull And do you like to pay for stuff to impress your friends out of your paycheck or your friends paycheck?

[@jimmieraper5807]

that is the best story I've ever heard totally agree 💯

[@paulsteele8079]

My son is a Raptor pilot stationed at Langley. I had an opportunity to have a walk around of his plane. What a piece of beautiful engineering. Just gorgeous.

[@camcam-uw5mx]

God I bet you know all the secrets. I wish I could hear them. But you gotta keep it secret

[@paulsteele8079]

Not really! He can’t share the actual performance parameters with his old man!

[@davemccombs]

lol Why would you bet that 🤣🤣@@camcam-uw5mx

[@mattfaucz4599]

God I would be terrified if my kid was a military pilot. Until I found out it was a raptor. That is awesome! Also the training pilot have to have is crazy. I'm sure it's even crazier to be the pilot of the most dangerous plane ever made.

[@paulsteele8079]

There are no 2 seaters so his maiden flight was solo…in today’s dollars a $400 million aircraft. He said he white knuckled it all the way! Yea, the training is incredible but the simulators are best in the world. His training at Tyndall is valued at 1.5mil. His wing commander told me Raptor pilots are the top 1/2 of 1% of all fighter pilots. Truly elite.

[@tmudeke]

"You really ought go home" is the most gangster shit to be said by a fighter pilot

[@chenrayen]

The F-22 is that fantasy fighter jet that came true: it’s mean but sexy looking. It cost ton of money. It has a sense of mystery while owning a great combat record. *edit: [perceived] combat record

[@andersjjensen]

Airforce: We want a purebred dog fighter that runs like a grey hound, wrestles like a pit bull, sneaks like an alley cat and has the general personality of a Chihuahua. Lockheed: What was our budget again? Airforce: Yes...

[@dannysmith2806]

@@ianardo127 i think the sheer amount of deterrence it provided while being known that it was stationed their contributes to its great service record

[@vvvxt]

Im not sure a stationary weather balloon counts...

[@GoonyMclinux]

And they don't crash all the time because they actually were designed right. 🤣

[@Rekuzan]

It's teeth with wings and a cloaking device...

[@PerplexedPhoton]

The F-22 is definitely my favourite fighter jet ever, such an incredibly capable and gorgeous aircraft.

[@kadewiedeman3127]

The f-35 might be the more practical and capable aircraft in the context of today's wars and "the smartest thing with wings", but the 22 is without a doubt the deadliest thing in the sky in a 1-on-1 cage match.

[@cladinshadow]

*cough* P-38 *cough* Yeah, it’s a WWII plane but damn, is it gorgeous! America’s top ace in WWII flew it against Japan.

[@Glostahdude]

Incredibly expensive….. today they’re about $200,000,000 each or something ridiculous like that…. That’s why they are not being built any longer and NOBODY but the US will ever fly one

[@anydaynow01]

@@Glostahdude There are rumors about how like the B-2 the F-22 didn't like operating from anything but pristine airfields without a speck of sand in sight. That and all parties were going to make way more money off the USA taxpayer with the F-35 project. The F-35 is awesome and all but all that money should have been funneled into a next gen drone / satellite program. The F-35 hopefully is just a stopgap to true AI assisted drone fighter / attack aircraft instead of being the boondoggle of the century like the BF-109 and A6M were.

[@Oilupplz]

used to be capable but now most of them are being scrapped

[@jackandcoffee1145]

'You really ought to go home.' What a line.

[@herbsuperb6034]

Yeah. It's very American. I prefer 'Russian Warship, go * yourself!', but it's still a pretty good choice. I was also quite fond of 'I intend to sink your ship', which I'm paraphrasing, but it's a US Navy commander during Operation Praying Mantis against the 'Iranian Navy' in 1988.

[@monckey44]

I was simply obsessed with this thing as a kid. I bought every flight game with an F-22 in it, built models, drew it, etc. the only thing that came close was the SR-71. on one hand it’s good they haven’t really been necessary, cause you know, war. but on the other, it would’ve been neat to really see how they do in real world dogfights

[@cwaite85]

Did you play the one by novalogic?

[@monckey44]

@@cwaite85 yeah, but Jane’s was my go to. that definitely racked up the playtime. and then when HAWX came out I loved that one just cause they let you fly the SR-71 even though that didn’t make any sense lol

[@vintageswiss9096]

It's 1-0 vs balloons...

[@dan3162]

The best jet in history, period. So good that the US Gov’t said no to free money from others allied forces which could have extended the platform for another 30 years. That’s the most telling statement.

[@Eclipse-lw4vf]

Yeah, very rare capitalist America doesn’t want to sell you something. Says a lot

[@dabears87_76]

My dad who recently retired after 40 years in service, was a engineer working on fitting all the technology we had inside the cockpit of the F-22. He would fly out to San Diego for weeks at a time and he said him and several engineers would spend weeks in a windowless bunker underground while working on the plane. After that we moved to Missouri and got to see the other Air Force darling B-2. I had the pleasure of going inside the B-2 cockpit area and was amazed at the amount of buttons everywhere.

[@janusha2253]

Nothing like some trillion dollar buttons. Youknow... Instead of healthcare, pensions, freedom or rights. Plenty of buttons tho. Its easy for people who pay down their house and has a whole career to love the military in all its splendor. And not consider the INSANE cost it has. On behalf of the entire rest of the country. I know. I grew up inside a military airforce. My grandfather ran the whole place.

[@chriswhite3692]

@@janusha2253 What the fuck are you even talking about? Only 13% of the Federal budget is spent on defense and most of that is on things like paying peoples' salaries and, you know, securing things like global maritime security that keeps global shipping running. Over half of the Federal budget is spent on SS, Medicare/Medicaid/etc, Veteran benefits and so on. Not on buttons.

[@Brandon-xo3tx]

your dad is cool as shit. respect

[@ripn929707]

​@@janusha2253freedom isn't free.

[@justsomeguy8597]

@@janusha2253 raptor go vroom vroom

[@hectorsilva5376]

I have seen the F-22 at air shows perform X-box style maneuvers that seem impossible but happened in front of me. Even when it taxis by, you can SEE, this thing is DIFFERENT.

[@James7995]

And they don’t even let it demo it’s best stuff because it’s classified.

[@davemccombs]

Lol stop, they're not X-Wings. The raptor is demonstrably not as maneuverable as several other air platforms flying today. It's "best stuff" comes in the form of electronically powered hydraulics, software, and construction material. It doesn't have super secret special moves nobody is allowed to see. The physics of aviation are fairly straightforward. You know what a plane can do by its shape, thrust ratio, and that's about all you need to calculate its maximum performance ceilings.@@James7995

[@davemccombs]

The raptor cannot **do** any "X-box style maneuvers that seem impossible," at all. It can do the same air-crobatics that virtually any fighter can do, and that's all the people planning the airshow would have allowed for. That's all the companies insuring the acts would allow. You don't see next-level "impossible" shit. I've seen the raptor before most Americans, and more times than most Americans. It definitively is not that maneuverable, lol. It's not designed to dogfight, rather kill something from thousands of miles away. Maybe your "X-box style maneuvers" are based on... wait for it... real life shit?

[@michaelbartley9572]

I think your getting confused. You're talking bout the f35. The f22 was made to solely be an air dominance fighter and dog fighter. No jet is made to shoot something thousands of miles away. The f22 is made to fight bvr or wvr. It can out turn anything in the u.s. and out maneuver any American fighter.

[@jongilbert8003]

​@@michaelbartley9572you do know that its literally the most maneuverable plane on the face of the planet! And the most stealthy fighter out there this thing can ruin your day before you even see it or they can go toe to toe and absolutely dominate anything in the skies! There's a reason Congress made it a rule to not sell it to ANYONE including allies because the plane is that fucking deadly and odds most of the time in a warzone if you see it you weren't the target.

[@fredbyoutubing]

My dad who hated the idea of video games bought me an F-22 flight simulator in the 90s. It stuck with me to this day. It's my favorite airplane and it will always be.

[@k_dawg7475]

was it F22 Air Dominance Fighter by D.O.D. ?

[@OSFGR4]

In the 90’s? How tf, it hadn’t even entered service

[@canebrakeruffian1122]

The F-22 was public knowledge all the way back into its testing. There were a lot of F-22 Sims in the 90s. I remember playing F-22 Lightning 3 as a kid, Wiki page here: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-22_Lightning_3

[@williamcostigan91]

​@@k_dawg7475I played the hell out of that sim back in the 90s. My favorite mission was "Harpoon Ship Kill." Bunch of hostile ships just existing as target rich environment for the raptor.

[@crucial0072]

​@@canebrakeruffian1122I had this SIM in the early 2000s. It was my intro to PC Sims. It was ahead of its time and a blast to play. Getting to drop B-61 tactical nukes was fun too.

[@skyden24195]

"Sadly, before it could display its true potential as 'king of the skies' ..." I'd have to say that an air superiority fighter that nobody else wants to challenge has displayed its true potential as 'king of the skies.' 😉😁😄

[@andrewakker4833]

The greatest weapon is one that never has to be fired.

[@keso_de_bola1750]

I think as Habitual Line Crosser may say or something to a similar effect... The F15 established air dominance through extreme violence. The F22 established air dominance by merely existing. 😂

[@randyeduo]

it has not been proven that against the S400, S500, S550, and now the new S600 which hypersonic missile are what it uses to take on hypersonic missiles? if it can overcome them, then its rules the skies. however, it will 1st have to prove that against the S400. it will be spotted

[@keso_de_bola1750]

​@@randyeduo the Israelis already flew their less stealthy F35s near the proximity of S400s... So...

[@OReely444]

I was stationed at Nellis AFB and had seen every type of aircraft and was used to seeing the Thunderbirds training weekly. The first time I had seen an F-22 performing its maneuvers... I was stunned. It has to be seen to be believed.

[@SylvesterCarl]

I just blew my own mind thinking of the Thunderbirds flying F-22s!

[@thedyingmeme6]

Oh yeah. I saw a Raptor demonstration team at Willow Run airshow last year. It's engines rumbled and screamed in the air as it soared overhead. Best 15 minutes of my life

[@Just_A_Random_Desk]

I'm a simple man, I see F-22, I click like.

[@ARose-ik2mi]

I'm a simple man, I see a comment about liking the F-22, I click like.

[@reecevince2166]

My and my besf friend sat outside RAF Lakenheath where 6 f22 landed we freaked out😂😂

[@Leescreativeart]

My brother works at Fort Hill Air Force Base in Utah, and his house is on the south end of the runway so we can sit and watch these things pretty much anytime I go visit. He hates them because they’re loud as hell.

[@markprendergast1718]

Same all men see f-22 and have a trouser accident

[@H8SK8MSTRB8]

I have to agree👍

[@Indyofthedead]

Imagine seeing a small blip on a radar that you think might be an error. Then, for a split second, it immediately grows larger than returns to its previous size. It's then you realize an F-22 has acquired a lock and has just sent an AIM-120 your way.

[@rsrt6910]

Ah yes, that silly ol' mach 2 bumble bee is at it again.

[@recoil53]

At range, the F-22 probably doesn't even show up. Really it's the bay doors opening that gives it away. And that's not taking into account the fact that we're in the age of Beyond Visual Range engagements. It's more "Surprise! You're DEAD!".

[@Indyofthedead]

Really though, this isn't accurate. The F-22 can, in fact, be seen on radar. The stealth aspect really refers to getting reliable targeting locks on it. At a distance, long-range missiles have difficulty tracking it and it's easy for them to lose it. It's also not like the bumblebee RCS is constant, but at the right angle. Basically, you can see it on radar, know where it generally is, but be unable to effectively stop it with conventional SAMs like the Russian S-400 or out-of-sight A2A missiles like the R-37.

[@bluemarlin8138]

@@Indyofthedead The only radars that can see it outside of about 20-30 km are large, ground-based, low-frequency radars. The best they can do is try to vector fighters to that general vicinity. Good fighter aircraft radars can see it when it gets closer, but by that time, they’ve already been inside the F-22’s missile range for a while. And there’s no guarantee it will be seen at all even when it gets close, unless the other aircraft is pointed at it. (It snuck up right next to two Iranian aircraft once and told them to go home. They did). Long-range missiles will never get a lock, and an R-37 can’t hit a fighter at long range anyway unless it’s flying too low to maneuver or just isn’t aware of it. What you described about missiles having difficulty tracking it is what happens at short range. And getting an IR shot is very difficult because of the IR shielding. You’d basically have to get right behind it within a few km for an IR missile shot, and good luck getting in that position.

[@spray916]

​@@bluemarlin8138R-37M can hit fighter sized targets. Ukis confirmed that a Russian Su-57 dombed MiG from the Russian border.

[@PoschSpice30]

I'm way more excited for this episode than I should be. I've been waiting for this one

[@zealman79]

If i had a bean, i'd be flickin' it

[@eriklarson9137]

Think about how funny this comment is. A person leaves a comment on a video they haven't watched. And do not leave a comment after watching it.

[@michaelpipkin9942]

Yo. I bugged them for months to make a YF-23 vid. They've done it, check it out!

[@ibrahimkuyumcu2649]

Imagine the outcry when someone did to the US what the US does to Iran.

[@aaronmarkstaller]

The F22 raptor. The only plane that was decades ahead of even itself

[@doomspud6302]

The F-22 is the most stylish fighter jet ever made. It looks like its straight out of a sci-fi movie. Even when its sitting still, you know its the master of the skies. The F-35 doesn't have quite the same sleek and deadly style as the Raptor. Though, I have always been curious what the full production F-23 would have been like it if had won the competition.

[@winternow2242]

F-23 production would have been cutback after the collapse of the Soviet Union, then cancelled by the late 2000s, just like the F-22, and probably sooner if it proved even more expensive.

[@thedyingmeme6]

The F35 to me kinda looks like an F16 (single engine, single vertical tailfin)

[@randyeduo]

it has not been proven that against the S400, S500, S550, and now the new S600 which hypersonic missile are what it uses to take on hypersonic missiles? if it can overcome them, then its rules the skies. however, it will 1st have to prove that against the S400. it will be spotted

[@jeremydegeytere8385]

Yes! Thank you so much for covering this megaproject. Growing up I was always a fan of the F-15 Eagle and it's flawless combat record, the F-22 was cool but I always thought of it as that hyper car that was never driven and became a garage queen. I finally saw one in person at the Miramar air show in 2022 and it blew me away. It's presence simply sitting on the runway was undeniable. While sitting in the grandstands you couldn't help yourself from glancing over at it even while other aircraft like F-35's and the like were in the air above you and it wasn't just me, it was all the folks around us seemed to be talking about. I can't wait to see it again in the coming years. I now find myself more upset at the limited production run of the raptor than I do about the seawolf submarine lately which I never thought would happen. Thanks again for the fantastic content Simon and crew!

[@itsme-gm9oi]

Flawless combat record against who? You mean third world militaries using 1970s technology. They have never come against a serious military with advanced AD or modern aircraft. When they arrive in Ukraine, watch them get blown out of the sky in industrial numbers

[@coconutsmarties]

For me, this is the best looking fighter ever made

[@OrionsMako]

Something about it, you just have to gaze lovingly at it.

[@coconutsmarties]

@@OrionsMako I've got chills... they're multiplying

[@MrCTruck]

The silhouette and body lines are both an engineering and design dream. Long live the raptor

[@cl3matis]

it does look absolutely stunning. however, i'm a eurofighter stan

[@roquri]

Love the F-22, but I grew up with Top Gun. F-14 baby!

[@marcelogaea1064]

As a retired Airman, “You really ought to go home” is the USAF’s slogan to everyone else 🤭

[@Angl0sax0nknight]

Major Chad move. The fact that your not worth a missile

[@jackthorton10]

A fitting unofficial slogan:)

[@crazygamingyt7245]

Except a su 57.

[@cuatro336]

​@@crazygamingyt7245 yeah all 12 of them in existence.

[@gavinjames8749]

Including Allies clearly marked,civilian non-combatants(who are home),US soldiers and civilian air raid shelters.Hell of a slogan.Maybe give some thought to developing engagement procedures more rigorous than "Yeeee-haar!"Hope you are well.

[@jackw.3504]

I've actually gotten to see a F22 fly over my house along with a pair of F117 Night Hawks. They were practicing for an airshow with the blue angels that weekend on Pensacola beach. I was nice seeing them without being on a beach crowded with 80,000 other people.

[@kw8295]

The pilot's radio message was classic "You really ought to go home." Being able to show mercy might seem like weakness to some, but it is actually the highest sign of strength for any warrior.

[@chrisp-uk1wo]

He said it somewhat nicely but that wasn't mercy. His orders would have been to not engage unless absolutely necessary in order to avoid a huge political conflict with Iran for shooting down one of their fighter jets. He likely would have needed to confirm the go ahead before engagement as well.

[@mike4769]

I was able to see a f22 up close at the edwards afb air show. It was like seeing a famous work of art sculpture. Also got to see the sr71 next to the maverick movie mock aircraft. It was a day me and my son will never forget.

[@TheAndroidNextDoor]

Ironically with the YF23, if the rumors are true, the current prototype of the NGAD fighter is basically filling out the same functions of the YF23. Less maneuverable but more stealthy and faster than the F22.

[@captiannemo1587]

Problem was the weapons bay. TheWarZone goes deep into its problems.

[@captiannemo1587]

Problem was the weapons bay. TheWarZone goes deep into its problems.

[@DarkKatzy013]

then why do we have F-22s not F-23s ???? HMM HMM HMMM ???? no it was not in any metric better .

[@TheAndroidNextDoor]

@DarkKatzy013 because the air force prioritized maneuverability over other attributes. And the F22 was designed in a different time for a different battlefield than the one we're in now.

[@OscarSchneegans]

There are all kinds of rumors. One rumor is that the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin the ATF contract because they'd already awarded Northrop Grumman the B-2. The USA only has three military aircraft manufacturers left (Boeing being the other), and the Air Force wants to keep all of them around for the sake of competition.

[@whythetechnot5655]

I saw them and the f35 at an airshow in Florida recently. That's the most impressive pair of aircraft ever made

[@joshmerchant8737]

​@Google Account hey a Russian bot in wild lmao

[@gingerlicious3500]

​@Google Account The Su-57 is objectively a heap of garbage compared to F-22 and F-35. It's the runt of the fifth-generation litter.

[@Alwsmith]

Oh man that’s awesome, I grew up on Air Force bases and going to airshows but I haven’t been to one in 35 years.

[@Alwsmith]

@@GoogleAccount-ci6ne Yeah I don’t think I’d argue this one, I’ve seen videos, so yes it can perform parlor tricks better than the American fighters.

[@berengerchristy6256]

@@Alwsmith the question is how many can they build and maintain? how much seat time are those felon pilots getting compared to their raptor counterparts? also supermaneuvrability doesn't really matter in BVR, but it does look super cool

[@Enderking1101]

“Would you intercept me?” Licks lips* “Id intercept me.” - a hungry raptor

[@metroidhunter965]

_”THIS HANGER’S A FUCKING PRISON!!!!”_

[@phantomwolf5485]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@thedyingmeme6]

"This is why everyone calls HR on you!!"

[@Backdaft94]

Buff/Franklin 24 "Let The Kid eat!!!"😂

[@ryanjones7]

Habitual line crosser reference YES

[@whitemike1221able]

As a ex airforce jet mech who worked on tf33s and f108s...seeing this bird dance in the sky is always amazing to me. I Just wanna see what its actually like when u pop the cowling. F22 and a10 are kings

[@Baronstone]

The YF-23 was stealthier and faster, but the number of munitions it could carry internally was actually smaller than the F-22. Add to that the fact that Northrop was having cost overrun issues on the B-2 and that was what tipped them towards the F-22. Sadly the cost turned out to be a major issue with Lockheed as well, so honestly they should have gone with both to see who would produce the cheaper aircraft. The first NGAD build is supposed to be shown to the world next year. For that reason alone we know they have been flying for a year or so by now.

[@dextermorgan1]

Is it? I haven't heard that. Where did you get your info(I'm not saying it's not true)

[@recoil53]

Because each was pushing the envelope in terms of technology, the YF-23 was probably going to be more expensive than expected too. It's one thing to built F-16's and F/A-18's when you already have F-15's and F-14's. It's another to take a huge jump in technology. Nobody has come close to matching the F-22's stealth. I'm not sure about the utility of some extra speed and I don't know the YF-23's super cruise ability. It seems like the US has never tried to match the Russians in top end speed. But the ability to sustain high speeds without burning all your fuel seems good.

[@recoil53]

@@dextermorgan1 I've seen it in several places (don't remember the sites) that the NGAD has already flown. It just hasn't been unveiled to the world.

[@granatmof]

​@@recoil53F16s and F18 ironically were the cost efficient replacements for the F14 and f15 iirc, much like the F35 was supposed to be the low cost version of the F22 to meet the US military'"high low" mix. The big difference in my opinion between the YF22 and YF23 is the YF22 ultimately had the working weapons bay, something not required for the demonstrator that was completely lacking for the YF23 demonstrator, iirc. It was a move by Lockheed to show they were potentially closer to completed product

[@oneflyline96]

The YF-23 was slightly better in stealth, a much better combat range, it wasn't faster than the F-22. However the Raptor had a higher supercruise, better avionics, more agile and better sustained turn rate. That and Lockheed had better history with production. The other area that helped the F22 win the contract in the end, was the fact that the F22 completed all its testing milestones , in particular areas like weapons, demonstrating high angles of attack and executing maneuvers that put more than 9g's of stress on the airframe. Lastly Northrop had a rough reputation at the time and was seen as even less trustworthy than Lockheed as far production and cost overrun's, and they were already producing an airframe ( F\A-18 ) where as Lockheed wasn't.

[@chuiwaiyinryan2491]

The timing can't be more perfect! Just saw an F-22 Raptor demonstration YESTERDAY at the Columbus Ohio Air Show featuring the Blue Angels! The Raptor is an absolute menace in the skies!

[@tonianosoprano117]

F-22 really is the king of skies

[@weewillywonga]

​@@goldeternalRussians/Chinese triggered!

[@schannel7211]

@@weewillywonga Yeah king of killing ballons lol

[@isiaharellano3789]

​@@schannel7211I don't see any SUs flying around my guy. You ain't the one to talk you wannabe gopnik 😂

[@gavinjames8749]

Saturn 5.

[@supremegodemperordonaldtru3563]

​@@schannel7211Balloons are the only thing the chinese and russians have dared to fly near the F22s.

[@eatery6565]

"Would you intercept me?" "I'd intercept me"

[@threebox11]

come on Air Force, keep up the support for the Raptor, soon it will be greatly needed and you know it.

[@DanielPowellJ]

The YF-22 was always tested out of Dobbins AFB in Marietta, GA, USA. I was playing golf a lot just south of that AFB at the time. They did a lot of test flying out of DAFB and my friend's dad worked on that project. He would always call us when they were flying them. We would routinely go to the top of a parking deck at Sprint and watch them fly... they were always accompanied by 2 F-16s . the YF-22 absolutely dwarfed the F-16. It was also SUPER loud when doing loud low flyby passes. Shook the golf ball on the greens... So cool to see that stuff tested in the air.

[@menwithven8114]

I think theThe F-22 is one of those planes that is so advanced and expensive that it will be on the back burner its entire life unless a true hot war between America and another advanced nation breaks out

[@locketom]

It is pretty much the definition of overmatching. It will likely never see combat because there's nothing else out there that would warrant unleashing this beast on, but that knowledge alone keeps would be finders-out from fucking around Edit: need to specify air to air combat

[@HailAzathoth]

uh, no shit?

[@Wortnik]

Or when more balloons turn up! lol

[@baomao7243]

I can imagine always keeping a few tucked away, hidden, parked in the hangar under the wings of a B2.

[@erenjaeger9418]

Idk, I think the US government definitely use these a LOT more than we think. With the radar cross section of a literal bumblebee, who would ever know? That quote at the beginning of the video about the Iranian pilots not able to detect the F-22 when it was literally right under them says it all imo

[@elivosniak15]

Hilarious timing, I just saw the Raptor Demo Team at the Columbus Air Show. What an insane piece of hardware. Watching it appear to completely ignore physics was just incredible to see.

[@thecircusfreak5364]

I was there too. Very impressed with it.

[@Bobamelius]

Hah, I was there too. Definitely the best part of the show.

[@thedyingmeme6]

Saw a Raptor Demo Team at Willow Run Thunder over Michigan last year. Beautiful, _beautiful_ piece of military hardware

[@Chad_Thundercock]

"would you intercept me? I'd intercept me." "I need some fookin' MEAT in my diet!"

[@johnschmitt5259]

You can't begin to comprehend the capabilities of this warbird until you see it perform in person. It is absolutely insane! And thanks for another great episode to you and your team. Well done 👍👍

[@protorhinocerator142]

They had some training dogfights between the F-15 and the F-22. The F-15 is no slouch. The F-15 pilot said after a few minutes going toe to toe with the F-22 you find you're out of fuel, out of speed, and out of options. This is when the F-15 pilot knows exactly where the F-22 is.

[@outbreakperfected5704]

@@protorhinocerator142right behind you

[@doodskie999]

This aircraft just looks so breathtakingly menacing. From the sleek and sharp angular body, to the golden colored canopy that shimmers in daylight. This is probably the last physically piloted stealth aircraft that will ever be produced as the trend will be moving into drones or unmanned aircrafts

[@jessehachey2732]

What a naive take. Is the F-35 unmanned? 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@retsaMinnavoiG]

@@jessehachey2732 him naive? A computer is better in every way at flying a plane than a human. In fact cutting edge craft like the F-35 are already basically flown by computers with the pilot more giving directions - a human can't fly them without the computer correcting inputs and managing stability. It's guaranteed that in the near future that they will be unmanned and mostly autonomous because that's the limitation of modern aircraft... the pilot.

[@kingace6186]

The most useful fighter ever built. Yet, also the most underutilized due to the circumstances of our time. Great analysis.

[@landywilson]

I have to disagree. It's a useless aircraft. The f-15 already out classes everything built. And the F-22 outclasses the f-15.

[@gingerlicious3500]

​@landywilson That's the point. The idea of American air dominance isn't just to have the best, it's to have such an incredible, overwhelming, insurmountable edge that just the existence of fighters like F-22, F-35, and in the future NGAD, deters the possibility of war ever breaking out.

[@vampiro4236]

@@landywilson Not at all. It's deterence factor is so immense that it makes possible for enemies avoid a fight. All we have to do is announce they've been deployed in a certain area, for a certain reason and people start getting a bit more careful about acting in the aggressive manner that they might've been doing in the skies before.

[@landywilson]

@@vampiro4236 we get the same results with less expensive platforms, that will not be surpassed anytime soon. The F-22 is an amazing airplane, but was built to fight an enemy that will never exist.

[@dylanduff9645]

​@@landywilsonbetter to have a gun and not use it, than to not have a gun..

[@AaronBeSpeedy]

I live several miles away from Tyndall Air Force Base where the Raptor crews got their flight hours logged. Growing up watching these guys fly directly over my house and having several pilots actively show off for some of us kids when they saw us in our yards while out on sorties. My favorite experience was when a couple of pilots noticed us and performed several really really low and slow flybys directly over a property 2 houses down. By low, im talking as low as they are allowed to fly (if not lower than they were supposed to maybe 200-250ft above the pine trees) There were times i could feel the heat from their exhaust. They flew by on their wingtip and made I Love U hand signs and Saluted us. The pilots looked normal sized and the planes were gigantic!!!

[@charlesrexford2598]

Awesome as always. Technology is outpacing maneuvering. The F-22 will forever go down in history as the fighter jet you never want to encounter in the theater of combat. EVER.

[@masterchief2402]

The f-22 is the magnum opus of stealth tech

[@Crim1_]

For now*

[@kevinsierra482]

@@Crim1_ till the NGAD comes out

[@usernotfound904]

Trump thinks they’re invisible

[@stevewhite3424]

​@@usernotfound904 Biden sends them after balloons

[@masterchief2402]

@@usernotfound904 basically are

[@lindawilkins6075]

We lived on our 42 foot sailboat in Peral Harbor HI during the winter for 15 years and we would see the F22 flying almost every day. They were exceedingly loud. There was a squadron stationed on Hickam AFB and you could drive right past them going out to the beach on Hickam.

[@dextermorgan1]

I'd love to see one in person.

[@CaptainMartinWalker]

I'm more interested in how u lived on a sailboat for 15 years

[@Isaac862]

Simon I can’t help but think many of us would love longer format content by you like an hour or more on something like the f22 with so much technicality and controversy behind it. I know you do this on other channels I think it would occasionally work here

[@parandiac]

I think the issue with the F-22 is that there isn’t really a lot available to the public. There is more available about the F-35 and it’s a more recent aircraft

[@theemperor9790]

“Would you intercept me?” … “I’d intercept me…”

[@bamacopeland4372]

I am tired of this air-to-air balloon vegan ass diet. I need some meat in my diet.

[@thesaplingturtle290]

I remember being in HS when we saw news articles about this new fighter which was the strongest fighter the world has ever seen. I even remember reading an article in some engineering magazine. Cant remember the exact wording but it could be summed up as "This thing is insane... We feel bad for enemies of the USA." Now its going to be retired and its only A2A kill will likely be a balloon lol. Hopefully it will get a chance to stretch its wings in the world market someday.

[@readrothbard153]

I've been 'attacked' by F22's. They fly them out of Sioux Falls, SD and one day i was en route to Sioux Falls through very rural Western MN near thr border. Suddenly 2 F22s flew over head in a low attack formation from my passenger side and quickly disappeared. Thinking that i was just fortunate enough to get a low flyby by training pilots, i was surprised to see them banking back into view ahead of me before doing another low attack flyby from the front. While i live to tell the tale i can tell you that i would have been gone without ever knowing they were there were they to fire live ordinance. They are awesome, impressive and intimidating

[@pigeonpoo1823]

What were you in?

[@catatonicbug7522]

Generally, their ordinance is meant to be fired from far outside visual range. So yes, you would have never even known they were there.

[@readrothbard153]

@@pigeonpoo1823 subaru outback 🤣

[@andyyang3029]

​@@readrothbard153a classic fighter jet 😅😅

[@selay333]

I remember doing volunteer security work at an airshow and some foreigners kept trying to goad one another to rush across the airfield where some raptors were. When I heard I stepped in to tell them that would be a bad idea. Some laughed but I pointed out the on duty guards that were armed and told them they'd be be most likely shot shortly after crossing the burn line.

[@unclejohnny863]

Saw a documentary that the 23 had fatal fault when manufacturing the wing. It was all one piece for both sides of the plane. Also used intense pressure to fuse layers, oftentimes uniformity was not possible. I watched F 22 making practice flights. Even when going slow it's going fast.

[@jonsrm125k5]

The fact it hasn't ever been challenged makes it the king. No shots fired, because as soon as they know it's there, they leave. Best fighter ever

[@giannagiavelli5098]

It's never had a direct run in with a su-57 so that will be interesting to see

[@jonsrm125k5]

@giannagiavelli5098 no reason too

[@grantfairley340]

Possibly the best line spoken from a fighter pilot to an enemy pilot.

[@RickOAA]

I saw one of these do an aerobic routine in Jacksonville, FL. It was the most impressive display of a jet fighter I've ever seen.

[@janusha2253]

Funny how the only time this plane is used, is to do flyover at airshows, isnt it. To get the crowd chanting USA, USA, USA, USA. But the trillion dollar plane was deemed a complete failure and completely unusuable for a war scenario. It was never used. Despite all the fairytales you have been told.

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Reminds me of a flying squirrel I'm joking. This plane is absolutely amazing

[@fr2ncm9]

And a total waste of taxpayer dollars.

[@Just_A_Random_Desk]

@@fr2ncm9 Found Obama

[@ibrahimkuyumcu2649]

You should do stand-up comedy.

[@troiscinq7650]

First time I saw multiple F-22s was at this event called “gathering of the Mustangs” in possibly 2006. Air Force base in Dayton had one of the few full squadrons and seeing like 5-6 of these parked on tarmac from about 200 meters was wild to 10 year old me

[@janusha2253]

Funny how the only times anyone ever sees an F-22 is at an airshow, isnt it. They never got used in any combat situation. Because they were not built to be actually used in war. A trillion dollar failure if there ever was one.

[@troiscinq7650]

@@janusha2253 also they weren’t part of the air show they were stationed literally at a military base that was hosting an air show for WW2 combat planes

[@stuartstogdill2406]

Living near Eglin Air Force Base in Florida is amazing seeing these F-22s fly during training exercises around the area. They are truly incredible machines and the local airport is located on the base so you can see the entire fleet when you arrive and depart the runaway.

[@tomcleaves6853]

I was at RIAT Airshow for this thing, it was terrifying to see on The tarmac and a privilege to watch it in the air.

[@maniacmonky]

An amazing piece of engineering

[@robertpatrick3350]

The F22 has a similar lifecycle as Concorde, superb technical achievement, a lack of market or purpose (in F22 case no credible rival to fight), production ceases early, no significant upgrades, obsolescence catches up when it could sustain a far longer life. The world becomes a lesser place when icons are no longer amongst us.

[@haslahali746]

Probably the most beautiful fighter jet ever created! Shot from the bottom of it looks like an supersonic arrow.. a piece of art!

[@Pete_Finch]

The F22 is staggeringly beautiful. Perfectly proportioned, without even mentioning its capabilities as a fighter. One day, the USAF will retire her and probably chop all but a few examples up like they do with everything - I'll never be able to watch it happen

[@jacobthornock317]

It's as classic as the F4, F14, F117 and others. It shall never loose its place in the enthusiastic minds and will always have role to fill.

[@pburgvenom]

yep

[@JokubasVas]

14:05 that is such a cool picture, The evolution of planes over around 60 years. Also, I once saw a plane that looked similar to an F-22 fly over my home. It could have likely been something else, but it is still cool to think about.

[@andyyang3029]

Crazy that in about a century we went from figuring out how to fly to making supersonic stealth jets 😅

[@nerdfatha]

It will be interesting to see what the NGAD program puts out. With the F-35 for stealthy multirole operations and the F-15 EX for interceptor and, I'm assuming, wild weasel runs, the USAF has a lot of high quality tools at its disposal.

[@bluemarlin8138]

I seriously doubt the F-15EX would be used for wild weasel missions. It’s too new and expensive to paint a target on it. Best to keep using the F-16, since it’s cheaper and more maneuverable (easier to evade missiles). We will probably see it used as a missile truck for the F-35.

[@dixiecyrus8136]

"And just how am I gonna explain the hypersonic bumble bee grounding the Russian air planes??!!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bamacopeland4372]

Please let me out of the hanger.

[@NewEnglandInSeattle]

@8:18...Vegas, baby! LOL. I used to live in Las Vegas near Nellis Air Force base. it was incredible getting to see all types of fighter jets flying around all day.

[@kevin9218]

One thing people never mention about the F-22: the stealth capability not only makes it nearly impossible to detect at range, but also it is extremely difficult to get a weapons lock on it even if you find one and it's flying slow, in a straight line. This is also the reason we still include a main gun on all fighters and don't rely entirely on missiles. While the vast majority of air battles against current/older generation fighters will likely be quick, beyond visual range slaughterfests, in the event an adversary has a stealth capability as good or better, beyond visual range engagements become impossible, and good old fashioned dogfights with guns will still have their place.

[@jackthorton10]

Nothing like a good old fashioned gunfight

[@Ethan0433]

I wouldn't say it comes down to actual gun dogfight, but could definitely see engagements closing to visual range for infrared homing missiles.

[@bluemarlin8138]

As it turned out, no one has gotten stealth capabilities even close to the F-22, but Lockheed-Martin didn’t know that when they designed it. Missiles have also come a long way since the 90s, and are much more capable and reliable now. That said, it’s better for a fighter to have a gun if possible, because you never know. The F-22 could easily afford the weight, so there wasn’t a good reason not to include it.

[@kevin9218]

@@Ethan0433 this is true for the moment. But there are techniques being developed that are making it more difficult for heat seekers to accurately target an aircraft too. In a visual range engagement, it's always better to have that gun at your disposal than to not have the option.

[@xBruceLee88x]

The F-22's ability to shoot down balloons is unmatched In all seriousness, an amazing aircraft

[@midoribushi5331]

This jet is a thing of beauty. A beautiful beast.

[@rando4168]

Every time I see a movie feature a f22 I get super excited because I’ve always considered it to be a rare and special aircraft. It’s shape is beautiful and iconic. My favorite demonstration in a movie would be transformers. And I believe that starscream was an f22

[@TornaitSuperBird]

100% correct. Fun fact: Starscream in Generation 1 was an F-15. As the Decepticon Air Commander, he's always maintained air superiority.

[@DemitriVladMaximov]

​@@TornaitSuperBird "Pathetic fools! There is no escape."

[@Neon_Amazon]

Landed here from “would you intercept me? I’d intercept me.” Nice.

[@arctictiger8690]

If retiring the most advanced stealth fighter in the world early for an even better one doesn't speak to US air dominance... I don't know what does.

[@recoil53]

Here's one that shows the US's technological dominance - China stole terabyte on terabyte of data from US stealth programs. The best they can do is the J-20, with a radar cross section of 0.1m^2. The F-22 is .0001, the F/A-18 Super Hornet (not stealth) is 1m^2. So the J-20 is 10X better than the Super Hornet, but 1000X worse than the F-22 in spite of the data.

[@arctictiger8690]

@@recoil53 Imitation is the finest form of flattery!

[@recoil53]

@@arctictiger8690 Yes, but it shows how difficult stealth really is. The Russians had the crashed F-117 and the Chinese all that data and still can't manage stealth.

[@arctictiger8690]

@@recoil53 indeed

[@lordgarion514]

If you know the numbers, it speaks more to just how little our enemies spend on their military compared to what we're told. The entire world spends $1.92 trillion on defense. NATO, which is about 1 billion people (out of the total 8 billion people on the planet), spends $1.1 trillion. And of that $1.1 trillion, Americans spend well over $800 billion. You've been lied to about how powerful our enemies are. China only spends about $250 billion, and Russia is only $60 billion.

[@mikemunley9563]

Great video. Great plane. Unfortunately, the stopping of the production line and the general high cost have discouraged the Air Force from even procuring spare engines. That plus the loss of as many as 17 airframes in hurricane Michael means that these planes are probably only sortied when absolutely necessary.

[@RedXlV]

It turns out to have been quite a blunder to end production. And to ban all export sales, something that could've kept the production lines going longer and reduced per-unit cost significantly.

[@Sinoops]

I mean to be honest the Air Force probably doesn't even need any more of them. There is hardly anyone that could even fight the current fleet

[@BalkansWay]

I know nothing about planes, however this one is badass looking machine

[@jimmieraper5807]

it's got a p in it's lane that's all we know

[@Chaydex]

Yes, I agree that Starscream is pretty damn cool, NGL the ROTF redesign really ads to the already impressive looks of the F22, some might hate it but personally I like it

[@charleymurphy2794]

Simon please do a video on the entire history of electricity , from discovery and inception to every day use it’s a great story!! They originally tried to capture static charges in glass jars about 200 years ago

[@Giveme1goodreason]

Habitual line stepper has taught me everything I know about this.

[@thedyingmeme6]

Line *CROSSER The Kid is always up for a meal

[@Notyourbuddyguy1]

Coming from a northern neighbor of the US, ya'll have 2 of my favorite aircraft.that being the A-10 and the F-22. You're engineers and scientist are insane

[@iamzeusandthisisthetruth4229]

This thing just sits vertically, then FALLS TO THE EARTH VERTICALLY! Then flatten out, SPINS, then TAKES OFF! In opposite direction!! It’s an INCREDIBLY Awesome display! Every Friday they would have Demonstrations, to test Maintenance on Air Frame, and our Barrier Maintenance Shop sat RIGHT on the Runway! You could feel it in your chest! Sometimes we would be In the Barrier Shacks! 250ft from Centerline!!!! That was Cool as well! Man I LOVE MY JOB! And My Service!

[@jomahawk7488]

My dad was the CO of a Naval Electronic Warfare Squadron; VAQ-134 “The Garudas.” He was a navigational Naval Flight Officer in the EA-6B Prowler. Around…2003-2004, right before the raptors officially entered service, his squadron was deployed up to Alaska for a Red Flag war games operation. All he could tell me was that “F-22’s were up there” and that he “was extremely impressed with them.” We can all assume what that meant, lol, but my dad DID manage to score a victory against the most fallible part of the aircraft: the pilot. Near the end of their deployment, all the pilots of the various squadrons that were at the War Games were at a bar. The lead pilot of the (at the time) only Raptor squadron was bragging about the silhouette patch that he and his squad mates had. It was a black silhouette of the F-22 as if it were being viewed from head on, on a yellow background. This Air Force Captain was going on and on about how he and his squad were “the only ones in the WORLD with that patch.” Well, one of my dads Junior Officers came up to my dad, and said “hey (insert my dads Callsign that I can’t use anymore lest it offend a snowflake), bet you can’t get that loudmouths precious patch off of him!” So my dad sidled up to this guy, my dad himself a Naval Commander, and says “Hey, Captain! Can I get you a drink?” Seven beers later, this guy and my dad are BEST FRIENDS. My dad then casually says “hey, you mind letting me see that patch?” The Raptor pilot pulled the patch right off his flight suit, and slapped it into my dad’s hand with a big ol smile. And my dad…just kinda never gave it back 😂 I have it still to this day, attached to the wing of a Lego X-Wing I built to house a custom Lego minifigure of my dad that my friend made for me after he passed away.

[@Idiodyssey87]

Hostile: "Attention, F-22, you're in our airspace." F-22: "Whose airspace?" Hostile: *sigh* "Your airspace." F-22: "My airspace, what?" Hostile: "Your airspace...sir."

[@captaintoyota3171]

I so wish id tried to get in fighter jet training. I had grades vision and size but hated authority. Ill never know but i heard new f22s pilot can see through cockpit with his helmet. Making it even more usefull in dogfights than the unbanded f16 canopy

[@recoilrob324]

The F-35 has a helmet mounted visor and exterior sensors that can project an image like they're looking through the cockpit as well as targeting by looking for the AIM-9X. F-22 doesn't have these features but isn't really hampered by this in its' lethality.

[@metrunui8224]

"Would you intercept me? I'd intercept me" - F 22

[@thedownunderverse]

😂

[@ClarenceK.Velazquez]

This video showcasing the F-22 Raptor truly highlights its status as the ultimate king of air supremacy. With its unmatched combination of stealth, speed, agility, and advanced weaponry, the F-22 represents the pinnacle of modern fighter technology. It's incredible to see this aircraft in action, demonstrating its superiority in aerial combat scenarios. The F-22's capabilities are a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the engineers, designers, and pilots who developed and operate this remarkable aircraft. Thank you for sharing this awe-inspiring glimpse into the world of air superiority - it's truly a sight to behold! ✈🚀 #F22Raptor #AirSupremacy

[@marktuttle3609]

My father was part of the YF22 design team. When the U.S. announced that they were going with the F22, I asked my dad why the government picked the F22 and he attributed to the vector thrust and the maneurvability that it provided.

[@TheUltimateOpportunist]

Incredible machine. The only American aircraft I like more is the SR-71 Blackbird.

[@hermanosamuel8744]

The best decision the USAF made regarding acquisition for modern tactics, was to drastically reduce the purchase of F35's and purchase way more F-15EX's instead. The tactic to send 22's out ahead into contested airspace, using stealth to remove initial targets and identify others, then send that information back to the second wave consisting of 15EX, that can carry way, way, way more armament because they don't have to be stealthy.

[@hermanosamuel8744]

Forcing the USAF to get involved in the F35 program, though only to offset the cost overruns with increased purchase #'s, was a huge mistake.

[@recoilrob324]

You are correct. At first when 'stealth' was a new technology the AF wanted everything to have it....but then the realities of producing and maintaining them made them come to their senses and realize that they are only needed in a contested airspace and once the SAM's have been neutralized along with whatever aircraft the enemy might be fool enough to send aloft...that the bulk of the war can be fought with 4th Gen aircraft which can be flown cheaper and replaced easier. Any 'peer on near-peer' conflict is going to involve losing lots of aircraft no matter how superior they are and an extended conflict always grinds down to a contest of production rather than technology. Hopefully we'll get it over quickly if we're ever involved in such a war and not be like Russia and Ukraine meat grinder in the trenches.

[@martinjrgensen8234]

@@hermanosamuel8744 Spoken as someone Who doesn’t understand the F-35 and just regurgitates memes

[@garymartin9777]

22 isn't a ground attack fighter like the A-6 or F-111.

[@bluemarlin8138]

The USAF didn’t cut the F-35 order. It delayed some of the F-35s until Block IV is ready, because they have a lot of very advanced capabilities that will have to be worked into older models over time. The F-15 EX isn’t replacing even a single F-35. It’s replacing older models of the F-15 so that it can take some pressure off the F-22 fleet, which has more wear and tear than it was projected to because the order was cut down. You’re correct that stealth is needed less after SEAD missions take out enemy air defenses, but we can’t guarantee we’ll get them all, and stealth is still quite useful against enemy fighters. The F-35 can also carry nearly as much as the F-15 when using external hard points in non-stealth mode.

[@Zeknif1]

“Would you intercept me? I’d Intercept me.” ~F-22 probably

[@stanleypost49]

Those 2 F4 pilots were like 2 wild-west cowboys with Colt single-action Army six-guns turning around to see the Terminator behind them armed with a mini-gun!! LOL

[@GlobalRevolution4All]

Mate, I hope you are making lots of money from your content. I’ve really enjoyed your videos since back when you were with Visual Politik. I am a huge fan of your work. Glad you have your own channels. Your hard work is appreciated. I think I have told you before you make the kind of videos I dream of making. So I love watching them. I’m happy for you, because I imagine you mostly enjoy what you do for a living. And you’re good at it. You’re providing tons of great information in a very digestible format. I really, really hope you’re earning a comfortable living, financially. I think you are good for the world.

[@SonOfAB_tch2ndClass]

The Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor. The First and Only Air Dominance Fighter.

[@rickintexas1584]

People always think the F35 is more advanced than the F22 because it was developed after the F22, but they are certainly wrong. The F22 is simply amazing. I was working at Northrup Grumman about 10 years ago, the engineers there were still saying that their F23 was superior to the F22. I guess we will never know. The F22 is simply amazing.

[@eugenioitem4969]

F-22 has not been commercialised from the others F-35 & YF-23 as being promoted to attract more business. Yet the former has top secrets intended for the US advantage!

[@russmarasheski7005]

The F35 is a flying supercomputer that can perform insane battlefield processing and information but will never outperform the F22 in air to air....

[@Oilupplz]

the f35 is more advanced because its capable of more things than an f22 and can launch from carriers. the f22 isnt horrible and sure is lethal but not very good i am sure they getting scrapped

[@DreamFearless]

@@Oilupplzthe f-22 is so good, other countries gave up perusing air-superiority with jets as a goal. There weren’t even attempts until Boeing was hacked.

[@Oilupplz]

@@DreamFearless that that crap probably happened cus of freakin fear but the f22 is full of shit it cant dogfight better than the f18 its job can be done by the f35 and the f35 can do much more and is used overseas. cant protect it self if a radar guided gets close to it unlike an f35 that can make decoys and got its ass kicked by a rafale in a mock dogfight its such shit its a good think its getting retired only few will remain want stealth get a b2 want a a good manuverable dog fighter typhoon/su27/su47/su57/f15 need versatility get a f35 bruh air force proposed getting that sack of #### bro the f22 is dogshit its WAS the GOAT 15 years ago not anymore though its probably still in service but it isnt the greatest. THE F22 DA GREATEST PLANE IN THE WORLD shot down a balloon f15 shot down 104 no losses just see what happens when that thing gets detected its USELESS its not invisible its gonna get detected by radar

[@randallraszick6001]

The F15 may want to have a word with you about that combat record... Edit another major factor was that Lockheed was deemed more able to produce the required number of as than Northrop.

[@ShoDaBrave]

Aside from an amazing and throughly informative video has anyone else notice how EPIC Simon's beard has become? It is like Kratos having another side thats the academic.

[@redrolo149]

Some would argue that the F-22 can't be the most lethal fighter built to date because it hasn't really been pitted in real-life mortal combat against other fighters. But that like saying the worlds most venomous snake isn't actually that deadly since people aren't dying from being bitten by it, all because they know not to test their luck with it.

[@scottzema3103]

Lovely video, as always. Lasers might be nice (and there might be some so equipped). That might make these planes literally invulnerable.

[@bluemarlin8138]

The trouble with lasers is the power source. A jet engine can’t supply enough power to propel the aircraft, run all the electronics and control systems, and still have enough left over to power a laser that is powerful enough to physically damage objects at any appreciable range. You might be able to get enough power to use as a dazzler, but even that’s a stretch currently. Lasers are even a strain on the power supply for ships, so putting them on fighters is a long way off.

[@jonathanpfeffer3716]

⁠@@bluemarlin8138Yes they can. You do realize lasers have already been mounted on Superhornets on pods? You can look up pictures of this, it’s not a secret. Chances are they would use microwave DEWs for destroying missile seeker heads anyways, they’re better at that. The upcoming NGAD will absolutely feature a hard kill self defense DEW.

[@Tripskiii]

raptor confirmed getting upgrades