The Super F-22 is Absolutely Insane

Play War Thunder now with my link, and get a massive, free bonus pack including vehicles, boosters and more: playwt.link/taskandpurpose24
War Thunder is a highly detailed vehicle combat game containing over 2000 playable tanks, aircrafts and ships spanning over 100 years of development. Immerse yourself completely in dynamic battles with an unparalleled combination of realism and approachability.
Join the discord Server: / discord
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor stealth fighter is being revamped to fly further and detect targets at longer ranges, especially near-peer 4.5 and 5th-generation fighters. The US Air Force announced the $11 billion upgrades for the Raptor at the end of 2021, and now we have a first glimpse of what the upgraded aircraft looks like with new stealth drop tanks and external pylons. So, if war breaks out with China, this is the fighter that will go into the fight. But will these new features be enough to win and preserve US air superiority while it waits for its sixth-generation fighter?
Written by: Chris Cappy and Armando Duarte Galán
Video edited by: Max
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @taskandpurpose
Task & Purpose is a military news and culture oriented channel. We want to foster discussion about the defense industry.
#AIRFORCE #UPDATE #NEWS
Email [e-mail] for inquires.
Follow me on socials:
/ cappyarmy
/ cappyarmy

[@Taskandpurpose]

Play War Thunder now with my link, and get a massive, free bonus pack including vehicles, boosters and more: playwt.link/taskandpurpose24

[@pyeitme508]

Bruh, the game shows secret military details 😂

[@rocko7711]

🇺🇸

[@Homa_8]

i play warthunder already can i still get the stuff

[@ad633f5]

Dude it's a russian game! :) Think twice before taking money from russians.

[@vonries]

Never forget all of the Russians who abused children and their families in Ukraine. From the mass graves (in Izium) to the stolen children. Now if parents don't become Russian citizens and go to flight against their brothers and cousins Russia will take their newborn children at birth. Speaking of Izium. What did those 414 people see? The Russians thought it was better to murder them and bury them all in a mass grave instead of letting them testify. Whatever they saw must have been truly horrific. If Russia want's to sign a treaty they must first prove they will stand by one. If Russia wants to negotiate, start with your original written agreement. Pull back all of their troops back behind their original boarder and then you can start negotiations. If they don't show they will honor the original agreement how can you expect them to honor any further agreements. It's our war to lose. Russia can NOT win. Unless we choose to not support Ukraine of course. It is on us in the global West to pick the world we want to live in. Choose wisely. Thanks. Glory to Ukraine. God Bless Ukraine and her people. 🇺🇦🇺🇸

[@bernardli9514]

If they don't call the upgraded Raptor the King Raptor, command and conquer fans will cry.

[@karther1058]

Under Rated AS FUCK!..... Lets give em an airshow

[@Ulysses-fy4sq]

​@@karther1058"Watch the skies, General."

[@test-qz4dq]

China will grow larger

[@DxD34234]

Damn, now that's fucking nostalgia

[@alienbeef0421]

Give it that dark spine livery 🥵

[@johna.zoidberg3049]

"Would you intercept me ... I would intercept me."

[@Excalibur01]

"I've had it with this air to air vegan diet!"

[@dextermorgan1]

"I'd intercept me so hard" 😂

[@jamesogden7756]

Let the upgraded kid EAT!

[@rossanderson5815]

Kid needs a cape now.

[@fulconandroadcone9488]

@@jamesogden7756 I'm now worried they might not be able to keep the kind in the hangar anymore.

[@-C0mr4d3_C0VID]

I love when people say “The F22 is too old and too technologically deficient to keep in service; and the upgrades cost too much,” and then say “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with upgrading the F15 and F16 platforms and keeping them in the air until the 2050s,” when both of those first flew while we still had troops in Vietnam… Don’t get me wrong, the F15 and F16 are both legendary. But don’t tell me the F22 from 1997 is too old while the F15 and F16 first flew when rotary-dial phones were still a thing. FOH.

[@Dubanx]

It makes more sense to just replace them with F-35s, though. Those are way more cost effective. F-22s are only marginally better at dogfighting while being many times more expensive. Meanwhile, F-35s can also replace strike aircraft, further bolstering their numbers. 2-3000x F-35s are just better than 700x F-22s at air superiority, while simultaneously offering far superior ground strike capabilities.

[@knoll9812]

​@@Dubanxoptions F35 might not be that great against j32 F22 would have ffet a different threat. Like having two golf clubs instead of one.

[@liljjbo17]

@@Dubanx The F-22 is only expensive because they canceled more then 2/3rds of the orders and blcoked it from export 750 orders to under 200 produced, the 35 costs less because they're making more then 15 times as many aircraft. Not to mention its a stealth aircraft thats not stealth when carrying air to ground ordenence and it cant even carry a lot so they're trying to extend the F-15 and F-16 life spans while simutaniously building more of them. The only thing the 35 has going for it is the Electronics suite and even then there's a chance the plane doesnt react to the pilots input upon landing which has been noted not only by pilots but by the plane itself in 3 or 4 crashes.

[@kiabtoomlauj6249]

If you're talking about simple deadliness, no high-end fighter jet is not deadly, on pure speed and the ability to carry deadly missiles, even those from the rotary phone era. The F-15 is as powerful and fast as the F-22; and the latter could shoot down all current high end jets that the Russians and Chinese CURRENTLY have. (.... The reason we know the J-20 is not anywhere near the capability of the F-22 is the same reason we know the South Koreans cars, of the 1990s, were NOWHERE near the quality and sophistication of Japanese, American, and Western European cars of the 1990s.... It takes a few DECADES to catch up to people who've been building some specialized thing for MANY DECADES before you got started....) But we are talking about having AN EDGE over a "near-peer" competitor... We are talking about "RELATIVITY"... If you flew the mighty F-22 against the mid-size, mid-range (in the sphere of physicality) F-35, the mighty F-22 WILL BE SHOT DOWN. It doesn't matter how people who worship the mighty F-22 proclaim it is "the most deadly" fighter jet ever built. The F-35's computational and data processing capabilities are up to 30 times superior to the 1990s F-22. Some historical perspective: when the first 4 Cray Super Computers were made available to public research universities in the US, late 1980s/early 1990s --- one came to my alma mater, in San Diego; and the university had to build a giant 2-storie building to house & to cool it ---- the fastest super computational speeds were in the 3 to 5 G-FLOPS. Today, most of your high-end CELL PHONES could do up to the one T-FLOPS range. TECHNOLOGICALLY --- computationally, data link capability, avionics, "user sensor" (how the F-22 still operate with a helmet made for ANALOG screen), radar, etc --- the mid-range F-35 is about 25 years ahead of the mighty dog-fighting/interceptor F-22 from the 1990s. Anyway, HIGH-END MISSILES ---- both the smaller air to air missiles fighter jets carry and the much larger and faster ground to air they have ---- from all advanced nations don't really care how fast all high-end aircraft fly. You unknowingly fly a giant aircraft (Mach 1.5, Mach 2.5, etc) into a volley of Patriots, S-400, etc. and your chances of dying are very high.... because most high end air to air missiles travel between Mach 4 and Mach 6 and some high end ground to air missiles travel over Mach 10.

[@jjjr.1186]

​​@@kiabtoomlauj6249f22 has double the radar range of f35. It has thrust vectoring. Better stealth by almost double over f35. The f22 Caries more missiles. And has supercruise. F35 was a cheap f22. The f22 would wipe any f35 from the sky. And why the military kept it top secret unlike f35.

[@user-kq5ke5yb6k]

I like how America openly debates pros and cons of anything military related, whereas China and Russia: "Our ____ is perfection, the best thing ever, and can realign the planets."

[@biggamejonnson3094]

I think that's what makes western militarys superior. Problems are discussed and addressed. Look at Russia, their leadership believed their own propaganda about it's military and then Ukraine happened. Not that the Russian military isn't capable but knowing ones shortcomings helps to compensate.

[@Blodhelm]

That's why it was funny when he showed the Su-57 "Pipedream" as a threat. I get China is working on things with tech they stole from us, but Russian computer graphics and props that rust in the rain without electronics aren't exactly impressive.

[@ex0duzz]

Name one thing or weapon that China has said is the best thing ever and better than usas. You can't name one except the ones that actually ARE superior, like certain hypersonic missiles. And that's mainly American generals etc who are saying it's superior. It's Americans who say China is a peer competitor, not China. Chinese don't brag or talk and are humble. It's Americans who's motto is Americans exceptionalism or America fuck yeah. Chinese let their actions do the talking otherwise they wouldn't even talk.

[@worldoftancraft]

@@Blodhelm while the cornercut trophey wife «F-22» which can't really guide its AIM-120 and evade doing that, and doesn't have the third eye yet has PYLONS(Rimembah: stelf tiknologii, "myh reptor has less RCS than a bird"©)

[@eugenenunn4900]

​@@ex0duzz hyper sonic missiles are their claims but they haven't proved the capability. They claim the J20 is better then the g22 and f35 so yes they overplay their hand, not as bad as the Russians though

[@331SVTCobra]

Q: "Why spend to upgrade the F-22 when that $$ could be spent on the NGAD?" A: Because then we'll have upgraded F-22s AND NGAD.

[@floofy5529]

F22's will likely be retired once NGAD's are deployed en mass. F22 upgrade is just supposed to be a stop gap so America doesn't have its pants down if China decides to invades Taiwan before a significant amount can be built to counter.

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

@@floofy5529 I doudt it because NGAD is likely not made to do all the things the Raptor can like dogfight and point defense...

[@gld1010]

@@floofy5529 Floofy is correct, it's to catch the F22 with recent advances. Missiles are catching up to with the AIM-260. I hope the NGAD is a combination of the F22/F35. Just because most engagements will be BVR, it doesn't mean the enemy can push into WVR. Making the same mistake that we did in Vietnam and didn't have guns. Granted, they are more advance and accurate now but nothing is 100%

[@devildog1989]

​@floofy5529 yeah, given the military's history of failed programs and their delayed roll out, the F22 is gonna be here with us for a while longer

[@prodigalsoniv48]

@@gld1010 the guns myth isn’t really all that true though The issue wasn’t the lack of guns but rather a lack of training with missiles After Top Gun was established, naval aviators were slaughtering the enemy with missiles and did better than the USAF pilots Technology always wins BUT it REQUIRES solid training and tactics too

[@jakesanchez7235]

I know this is random, but the United States lost their last triple fighter ace of world war 2. Brigadier General Bud Anderson. The man shot down 16 planes during world war 2, and flew along with the legend Chuck Yeager. Rest in peace Bud Anderson.

[@kwiturbitchin5277]

He was also an F-105 squadron and wing commander who flew a combat tour in Vietnam!

[@Homa_8]

rest in peace ace

[@kwiturbitchin5277]

He was also an F-105 squadron and wing commander who flew a combat tour in Vietnam!

[@jackthorton10]

Rest in peace Ace

[@ivanthemadvandal8435]

F

[@CliffKarrow]

I changed my mind about 22 to 35 times during this video.

[@JSKYWKR]

11:45 LMAO. “Ever since sword combat, we’ve just been growing further and further apart. War is getting lonelier and lonelier”

[@wompa70]

We’re going to end up with fleets of B-52s and F-15s patrolling the hyperspace lanes.

[@heartlessangel1460]

F-15EXS Space Interceptor

[@makeachaininthecommentsect7953]

​@@heartlessangel1460 F-15EXSI

[@DSNSGaming]

F-15X/WING

[@stahlseuche]

Long live the BUFF!

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

Space hen.

[@javajunky215]

Shutting down the F-22 production line was a mistake that is on par with the Littoral Combat Ship program. Short sighted and naive cost savings strategies that didn’t pan out.

[@ZOV24-2-22]

Littoral was horrid, it was plagued with issues before even reaching the sea

[@bowencreer3922]

No. We and all our allies now have hundreds of the f35.

[@Matthew-li7we]

​@@ZOV24-2-22Nah, the lessons learned from them will be worth their weight in gold in future warship design. Besides, I heard that the ones built are being considered to be converted into hypersonic missile cruisers.

[@Rimasta1]

@@bowencreer3922F-35 was meant to operate with the F-22. The Raptor would sweep the sky while Fat Amy would sweep ground defense and strike targets. If the F-35 on its own was adequate, the USAF wouldn’t see the need to buy the F-15EX.

[@rodneyjackson7147]

@@bowencreer3922 ya but its a multi role strike fighter.. our doctrine as always been to have a high end interceptor like the f14 15 and 22 and strike fighters usually more of a economic work horse. think f 16 and 18 they work well together. that decision left us with the f15 being our front line interceptor while its pushing 60 years old also it left us with few than 200 raptor for years before the f35 ever flew it was a short sighted cost saving measure. It also drove up the price of spare parts being that there are few of them. on top of all that it increases the use of each airframe making them fatigue rapidly.

[@Pimps-R-us]

The F-22 can NOT be launched from an aircraft carrier as depicted @ 4:55. It would launch from a nearby island base

[@NeedsLessWedge]

Like guam, kadena (okinawa), misawa, yokota, osan, or another Allie nation. I still remember when raptors first showed up at kadena, along with patriot batteries. And the protestors and their raptor go home signs.

[@DJSpoiledMilk17]

technically, it can be launched from one, but can't LAND on one

[@C2H6OFTW]

Point of clarification: they wanted to retire only the oldest raptors because they were not built in the same configuration as the majority of the fleet and it was going to be really expensive to bring them up to standard config. Also, they didn't go from wanting to retire the raptor fleet to upgrading it, they went from paying for the upgrades with the money saved by retiring the early production tails, to just inflating the budget even more/pulling money away from ngad.

[@kickZtailout]

IRST is important because it provides passive tracking. Radar emissions can be seen by your target. IRST allows you to target an enemy without the enemy knowing.

[@prodigalsoniv48]

True although Modern AESAs are often harder to detect

[@aerobetamax6022]

No, not harder to detect, but harder to jam or disturb. Output effect is output effect and any semi-modern EW suite will detect and track it.

[@mustang5132]

There are also radar modes which have been in use for a long time that are passive. Track while scan is one of those. It is possible to detect and lock onto a target using this passive method but it is not as precise.

[@user-xp5id1kh4r]

@@Wargasm54 What "features" do the Russians "prominently on their aircraft"?

[@korana6308]

@@user-xp5id1kh4r IRST

[@jasperzanjani]

3:20 the cavemen in 1998 made me lol

[@scratchy996]

As someone who lived back then, I can say it's an accurate description. People WERE more civilized and sophisticated back in those days.

[@fredbyoutubing]

​@@scratchy996I think people's brain were more specialized and thus, focussed on important informations for their daily lives. People nowadays have access to all the information in the world and can't stay focused on one thing at a time. Now we need AI to compensate. Simpler people in simpler times.

[@antoniobautista6718]

Haha same, even made my own comment about it. I think they actually intended to put it there 🤣🤣🤣

[@skullhart]

IKR! I joined the USAF in 1998 and have been retired from service for over 5 years😂

[@Jester-Riddle]

That was actually a forecast of life after WW3, or Weapons Technology available for WW4 ... ! ☹

[@dave4882]

Even if there are some older 22's that don't have all the new bells and whistles, that sounds like they need to be moved into training positions, to free up the ones currently being used for training to be moved into fighting squadrons. Yes the pilots will eventually need to train in the newer 22's but getting their feet wet on these older air-frames will keep the hrs down on newer air-frames. No point is dumping the older planes when they can play a role in keeping the newer planes ready for battle.

[@CMDRSweeper]

The problem is that a lot of the Raptors that won't get the upgrade isn't due to cost. But a little bit of right to repair with lack of schematics for a few of the items and they have been victims of one of the WORST enemies out there that attacks and can kill any craft, both civilian and military, and can't be shot down. Rust / Corrosion... there are images out there where you can see the front of the canopy heavily rusted, and when you see the rust, it is usually a lot worse underneath. With the schematics gone, getting replacement parts is difficult, and the cost to fix would exceed developing something new, which is why the older ones are vanishing.

[@research903]

I distinctly remember when the F-22 was first announced that the word "modularity" was very prominent in all descriptions of the aircraft. They claimed that "future upgrades would be easy and cheap" because of the "advanced modularity" of the aircraft systems. Of course, this unicorn like "modularity" has been touted for almost all military systems since the move from bronze weapons to iron. The only system in which it has proven to be even somewhat true is the M-16/M-4 combat rifle system.

[@Krommer1000]

2:17 Growling Sidewinder shout-out! Woot Woot!

[@truthseeker9454]

Good call out! I saw the one at 8:14 but missed that one. 😃

[@Houtka86]

Oh! Your f22 is evolving! Your f22 has evolved into a f22 super raptor!

[@eldritchmorgasm4018]

F-22: 😏 "This isn't even my final form!" Evolves even further into the F-22 King Rator from "C&C: Generals", just like that.

[@chanahyingchan5070]

Consuming Super Steroids

[@greatBLT]

"King Raptor ready for takeoff!"

[@BasedF-15Pilot]

Fun fact: The F-22 is actually designated the F/A-22 according to official designations and AFSC codes. I learned this when making some decisions mid-career.

[@pfclumi]

Wow interesting 😮

[@abqcrutch]

Huh! I was an IMIS Administrator at Holloman for 2 years. Learned something new today. Thanks!

[@thelonehussar6101]

Retiring old fighter aircraft: sad Upgrading old fighter aircraft: CHAD Making new fighter aircraft: NGAD

[@kutter_ttl6786]

This comment: RAD

[@LongWalkerActual]

How long would it take for a NGAD to become operational?

[@CoffeeAndPaul]

​@@LongWalkerActual, we are aiming for prototype testing by 2027 & initial production by 2030.

[@LongWalkerActual]

@@CoffeeAndPaul So.... Operational development (fully equipped units) is when?

[@Chancellor_dumb]

​@LongWalkerActual full integration probably 2040 maybe 2050 gonna take a minute to make the amount we want train pilots and work out any kinks

[@fredbyoutubing]

I like the range graph but it should be pointed out that the F-22 isn't carrier based. They have to take off and land in ally countries or be air refueled.

[@TheRealAaronSmith]

In other words, it has effectively an infinite range.

[@fredbyoutubing]

@@TheRealAaronSmith it is limited to specific airfields in the region. I'm not sure "infinite" is the right word when there are humans on board or the mission is time sensitive.

[@smalltime0]

Yeah I was looking at it going "Yeap that famous carrier variant the US made"

[@IndigoSeirra]

​@@TheRealAaronSmithBy that logic every single aircraft capable of aerial refueling has an infinite range.

[@TheRealAaronSmith]

@@IndigoSeirra pretty well, yep. Assuming you have the logistics to support a 24/7 refueling schedule across multiple points of the world. Which the US has. At least in theory, maybe not in current practice.For some time now, the limiting factor has been pilot endurance. We need to eat, drink, sleep, and relieve ourselves eventually, and those issues can only be mitigated for so long on an aircraft.

[@kelvinw.1384]

To me the F22 is still the worlds best dedicated Air superiority fighter. It just never got a chance to meet a peer nut its presence alone scares others.

[@snakerb]

The fact that the F22 is already being considered for retirement is crazy.

[@antoniobautista6718]

3:22 Dang, shoutout to Grug and his cave family from 1998 🤣🤣🤣

[@leeboy26]

General Malcolm 'Ace' Grainger will ensure this project is a success. If not he can always get a good airline job.

[@the5gen]

now i feel like reinstalling C&C Generals Zero Hour

[@PitFriend1]

US Air Force: We need to retire these F-22s, they’re getting old. Also US Air Force: We’re upgrading the B-52s again. They never get old!

[@GeoScorpion]

Yeah, but if you really want to be a clown, introduce a fictitious Ukrainian, Mykola Smirnoff, who is the very first Ukrainian to be training on the F- or A/F-22 that, like the Stinger missile, the USA planned to scrap... The entire world including our allies would scream before they fact-checked.

[@MrHappy4870]

My understanding of the new stealth fuel drop tanks and pylons for the F-22 is that BOTH the drop tanks AND pylons drop away from the aircraft when not needed, maintaining the original stealth characteristics of the F-22.

[@RealKlausSchwab]

Nice to see Growling Sidewinder getting a shout out.

[@truthseeker9454]

Yeah, he works so hard to create outstanding content. The dude's a class guy, too.

[@yaboipalps8616]

Cant believe you upload this just as i finish lunch.

[@Rimasta1]

I just started mine.

[@RobertCunningham-cw4bv]

Lol ! No doubt !

[@tgs9740]

Don't you hate that. Sometimes.

[@Booz2020]

Don't forget to take a DUMP 🤯

[@aaronjensen8455]

Secretary of Defense Gates killed the F-22 because he didn't think any competitors (China/Russia) could produce advanced fighters. He also clashed with Gen. Moseley over this issue, who fought to save the Raptor. Gates fired Moseley and killed the Raptor.

[@moosings2048]

Upgrading the electronic warfare package and the communications and data is the right move but i think everyone has forgotten what the purpose of the raptor is: dogfighting. In their obsessive focus on beyond visual range engagements the planners are mistakenly assuming that highly maneuverable and capable interceptors wont be needed anymore at closer ranges and that simply isnt the case. Missles and satellites rely on systems that can and will be disrupted as countermeasures become more capable and unforseen circumstances arise. Having manual control and close in dogfighting capabilities still present at least as a backup is essential. THAT is why raptor needs to stay, for redundancy to fill its design niche of being the best dogfighter in the world.

[@keithgraham9547]

Aka the "Military contractor huge freaking bonuses" Act.

[@cameronmadden8723]

Im loving these frequent uploads ,keep it up !

[@nyfinest017]

U.S. Air Force: "How can we make the deadliest jet fighter in modern history deadlier?" Lockheed Martin: "Hold our beer." "Jim. Call the grim reaper. We have work to do."

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

825 mile range puts flying out of the Philippines, the southern area of S. Korea, and Japan as covering all of China's coast, covering the Taiwan' skies from the north and south bases, and thoroughly covering the skies of where most of China's population, industry, and political power resides off of the Yellow Sea and in provinces bordering Beijing.

[@richnubbz4910]

other people dont realize that this is also a way to have a 5th gen test out tech for the NGAD this has been publicly stated by the airforce... the drop tanks will end up being used on the NGAD, IR tracking is planned for the NGAD so might as well test it on the F22

[@brianboye8025]

The F22 upgrades seem well worth the cost. They are technologies already developed and available. IRST is necessary.

[@MaximumPasta]

3:19 "All the way back in 1998" *Shows literal cavemen* LOL

[@imparkmade7357]

From what I read the irst sensor was left out after cost cuts and couldn’t be added later cuz it couldn’t be fit inside the airframe

[@johnnycaps1]

Nice presentation. Great analysis.

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Nothing average with this grunt 👍 Salute from the Netherlands ✌

[@TheOriginalFaxon]

Thank you for using so much footage from Growling Sidewinder to demo jets on your content in general, his content is some of the best out there in the flight sim space, and he has more simulated hours in some of these jets than actual pilots. Glad to see my boy succeeding with his content as much as he is. Just a big fan who wants to see him get more subs (and sponsor money) so he can afford to spend more time making videos for us.

[@ComeCleanAmerica]

Please note that the F-22 does not fly from carriers. Your expanding circles need to originate from ground bases.

[@truthserum5202]

The upgrades to the F-22 probably should have been done a few years ago as it was easy to project the new threats entering the theatre of combat from our adversaries. Plus, until another more advanced fighter is ready for serial production, the US must keep all of their existing aircraft as advanced as possible because you never know when another war might break out.

[@zemog1025]

Awesome update T&P. One thing dough, IRST is a PASSIVE tracking system, unlike RADAR, and it is designed to track aircraft not ground targets.

[@Yuki_Ika7]

12:55 that is not where the missiles are stored, the sidewinders are on the sides next to the pylons, the rest are on the underbelly

[@LabRatJason]

Someone help me out with "radar cross section of a marble" vs. "would not establish air superiority in the pacific theater." I'm sure he's right about that... but damn the details of how that works must be deeper than just "we ran out of gas."

[@justsayen2024]

At least the repair personnel can easily find common problems. That's why it's better to buy a vehicle model two or three years into production.

[@fd35g3]

I enjoy your quick self deprecating humour, moving right back to the topic seamlessly.

[@elvenadohostil8607]

This reminds me of when I used to work in the trucking industry, we would take older trucks, attach a smart box ( Vehicle Gateway )on to their engine, and the truck would go from just a mobile box to a complete communications and diagnostics smart unit, and I think it´s the better solution, if you need your units just to be smarter, you can add all those smart components externally.

[@wayneabbott652]

Because a F22 is some much like a Semi truck

[@Szycha8412]

Thank you. Good clip.

[@Veritas419]

The Air Force was compelled to keep the Raptor by Congress because the AF had squandered billions on a aircraft they suddenly called “obsolete” and wanted more money for a clean sheet design.

[@MrRinoHunter]

Just say special interest payed off the congress, Lockheed Martin

[@j.f.fisher5318]

the F-22 is a compromise design to placate the fighter mafia, built around supermanuverability. But classic dogfights haven't been a thing since Vietnam.

[@Blodhelm]

@@MrRinoHunter Lockheed gets plenty for a new design. The F-35 cost $1.2 trillion and they say it still needs reworking, like a second engine. Lockheed wins either way.

[@timothywing8604]

Expensive, but seems like a no-brainer.

[@TurboHappyCar]

Great video. 👍 Also just wanted to say I really like Cappy's goodbye, "Signing off this net, time now."

[@eddiecharles6457]

12:55 - You've got the weapons on the missile bays mixed up. The AIM-9X are on the side bays while the AIM-120D are on the middle bays.

[@Emdiii]

RIP Supersonic Bumblee Welcome to the World Supersonic Marble

[@jansenart0]

Supercruise does not mean what you think it means. It means that you can go nominally faster than sound without afterburners.

[@j.f.fisher5318]

yeah, and conversely it works by using a low-bypass engine engine that performs more like a turbojet than a turbofan, which also makes it less fuel efficient because the bypass ratio is half that of the engines on the F-35, F-15, or F-16

[@gonnabeadoctorsoon2]

13:03 I recommend rechecking the hardpoints on the F22 for this graphic.

[@Scalabrio]

How they could even consider retiring the Raptor, is beyond my comprehension. This thing is so far ahead of its time. Glad they are upgrading it

[@EricHager-qt7bq]

The system of a system of 6th generation is a dream. The F22 has yet to be contended in air. No reason to keep progressing but no reason to stop current superiority

[@joetamaccio9475]

It did shoot down a balloon !

[@TheBoggeln]

An operator drewski and Cappy Army team up? I am here for it

[@dr.pastrami5272]

Love the GS footage. Glad you're a fan.

[@sqeaky8190]

At 19 minutes in when he was talking about the feds "looking into your browser history" for getting a security clearance I honestly thought he was going to transition to, "and this secret clearance was brought to by NordVPN".

[@SbrGrendel65]

You don’t cut the best air to air jet from your tires inventory cause you want to be cheap. Who knows when the 6th Gen fighter they are developing will finally come out. So do what you need to give the Raptor its upgrades to help improve its modern avionics and sensors.

[@redrockengineer]

I wonder if there is a secret NGAD delay so AF decided the upgrades were required?

[@j.f.fisher5318]

@@redrockengineer There could be delays, but the main thing is that 2030 is a really long way away when war with China could start practically at any time. If the war starts before NGAD can take over, then the F-22 is going to be our air superiority aircraft. Though probably if war looks likely they'll just keep the F-22 around a bit longer.

[@zedwpd]

As a Mission Crew Commander Air Battle Manager on AWACS and a prior squadron commander on Okinawa, you forgot about that island. It's only 450 miles away from Taiwan and filled to the teeth with US forces.

[@ex0duzz]

Which will be flattened in the first missile volley in any war with china.

[@pike100]

​@@ex0duzzPatriot battery says "hold my beer."

[@atakorkut5110]

Honestly, as a resident of Long Island, I can tell you that that really helped me wrap my brain around the distance the Long Island comparison I think you should keep that😂

[@greigger]

This is a great channel. Thanks Cappy!

[@dakotawhalen4760]

Yeesaaaaaaahhhhh Operator Drewski x Cappy is the collaboration we need

[@PvtPartzz]

There is no way someone signed off on sticking air to air missiles on the fuselage right in front of the air intakes…. Right?..right?!

[@rwdplz1]

The Generals from the Bradley program: "There's some space on the nose, just stick another couple missiles there."

[@jimduffield7822]

This can’t be real 😂😂

[@TheRealAaronSmith]

I think there's a few issues with how the missiles were displayed. As far as I understood, sidewinder were carried, ironically, in the side bays, where AMRAAMs or whatever would be in the belly. I don't see how or why they'd switch them around, just to have 2 sidewinders in that huge belly bay that can hold 6 AMRAAMs and 2 in the nose on top of that? Weird.

[@heyasucks]

incorrectly modeled in the video, the 6 AMRAAMs are stored in the center bays and the sidewinders are in the side bays

[@johnathonyoung4799]

Have you people ever seen a photo of the F22 it has a side door on each side for the aim-9 seperate from the big missile bay just google f22 missile bays open

[@Painrunner]

Fun fact: any supersonic object will have it's leading edges heat up due to air friction. The addition of advanced IR targeting pods may be a feature to deal with a possible stealth opponent.

[@shadowgunner69]

Find Col. Bruce Gordon's (Spirit of Attack) video about his flying an F-106 and performing a face-shot on a Bomarc with a closure rate of M4.

[@spicywater123]

Considering the number of conflicts around the world right now, I would think keeping the Raptor is a no-brainer. Our pilots are already lethal with the Raptor.

[@Johnny_Cash_Flow]

Military Industrial Complex version of the Day 1 DLC.

[@manuwilson4695]

Another good down to Earth video. 👍

[@MelodicMethod]

thank you

[@DrDamnoz]

That pop-in at 0:16 makes for a good representation of their interaction with that Iranian F-4

[@djjeeveslarue3499]

The raptor is a flying sniper rifle.. now a super sniper rifle

[@IndigoSeirra]

It's more of a flying ninja. Stealthy, highly maneuverable, and lethal against adversary aircraft. The F-35 would fit the sniper rifle analogy much better. It is mostly a long range/BVR focused aircraft, stealthy, and performs recon.

[@brassmonkey7566]

Jeez you sure know how to make a guy feel old....back in 98 ....jeez

[@mikeharrington5593]

If there are no airframe fatigue issues, then it makes sense to upgrade it to maintain the air superiority of this twin-engined, multirole aircraft.

[@pike100]

It's not truly a multi-role aircraft.

[@0fficialdregs]

THAT RAPTOR IS BETTER THAN ALL OTHER AIRCRAFTS!!

[@bowencreer3922]

You’re making me addicted to your videos, Chris. Lol

[@melangellatc1718]

Hell, F-8E Crusaders had IRST... OLD IRST but it was there...

[@bualeegrasse2380]

The mighty F-106 also had IRST, plus TADIL A datalink.

[@Lucky14970]

6:50 Watching the turn that pilot is about to do is nothing short of mindboggling!

[@lllPlatinumlll]

Modern warfare: I have a new, pod. 😱 What is in the pod? 😉 Wouldn't you love to know.

[@kathrynck]

The priority to upgrade is based on airframe life, SLEP overhaul timing, and the time-scale of the NGAD reaching deployment in serious numbers. They _have_ to overhaul them to keep flying them. And NGAD is maybe 2030 for beginning deployment, and closer to 2040 for fully deployed. So... they _have_ to overhaul them or not have an AS fighter. And it's a long road to being replaced still. So they're stacking an upgrade on the overhaul. The 11 billion is like half "necessary overhaul costs", half upgrades. They're not gonna have 186 of them though. About 50 of them are not air worthy now, and half of those probably never will be again. With the 11 billion, they'll have about 150 'working' jets. At any rate, it'll be "partially" caught up with the F-35. But still cost like $75,000/flight hour. I think the F-15 will get the AIM-260 first. It would benefit from it the most.

[@farmboy2010]

So is the King Raptor gonna be reality? I miss Command and Conquer Generals :(

[@joshschneider9766]

comparing the types of upgrades a notional C model raptor would have vs what the C model 15 did have, these seem to be fairly linear upgrades. seems like exactly what you would want and expect the air force development folks to do. if we had gotten the full fleet, we may even have gotten an FB22. Wouldnt that have been a sick variant.

[@besearchingforwisdom6267]

Chris, you have really found a great place for your ministry, God Bless you always

[@scotthazelton519]

Thanks for sharing Cappy

[@TheGreatSteve]

They should build a fighter with no weapons, have them all be carried by a companion drone instead. If the drone uses up its weapons, just rendezvous with a fresh one.

[@yupyup4209]

That's how the NGAD will be. Might just have a directed energy weapon on board for missle defense.

[@yupyup4209]

This will also allow the NGAD to be super thin and stealthy.

[@barrymccockiner6641]

If that's the direction, remove the internal bay for internal tanks. Or figure out stealthy CFTs

[@keithrodrigues7508]

why not have 3 drones up at once you are on something and a couple AI drones at your 6 oclock just to be safe ! close air support for the ground assault drones your commanding .the AI drones to cover all 4 plos themselves your situational AWareness wil;l then be invincible... ask Tony Stark ,lol.

[@kickmcmelon18]

A stealth "tank killer" or ground support aircraft would be so dope... and we could test it as a drone RIGHT NOW in a certian conflict where an ally doesnt have air dominance... seems like a necessity for near peer conflics where getting air superiority might not be quick or even possible...

[@dumdumbinks274]

That's basically the F-35.

[@robertdole5391]

Any upgrade should increase its velocity thus making the new Raptor be called the Velociraptor

[@ronclarke8546]

LOL

[@rosedruid]

Pretty sure the missile layouts were off. The side winders come out the side hatches bit the bottom hatches. The missiles shown on the cheeks are misleading as well since no missiles are stored anywhere near there inside or out.

[@Lonsdaleitehard]

The thing they're not saying out loud is the numbers game, Chinese is ramping out a lot of military hardware right now, so from this to buying a bunch of new F15's, the USA is trying to ramp up its own military hardware volume.

[@dave4882]

I remember a war game a while back. The US vs china. The givens were that every missile china fired missed. Every missile the US fired hit. The US lost. We didn't have enough planes/missiles. The Chinese fighters then took out all of our AWACS and tankers.

[@yves2932]

@@dave4882 I suppose the distances involved will severly reduce availability of US jets near china. China has a natural advantage there. Even if you could 100% stopgap the fuel issue with tankers, the pilots cant stay in the air forever in some narrow fighter cabin. They're out of the game while they're making the long way back.

[@Battl3Cry]

@@dave4882 Its just war games, scenario's in rl are vastly different. Otherwise you had that one war game where you put a US general with a bunch of ragtag iraq's and they achieve the same shit, killing seals, destroying destroyers and carriers etc. Basically put, impossible scenario's or just incredibly cheating. Its a good way to learn

[@dave4882]

@Battl3Cry My point was basically that a few super weapons. No matter how good they are, will not win against a bunch of less than super weapons. Essentially, that's why the f16 exists.

[@ToolofSociety]

@@dave4882 I'm going to need a citation for that war game as I'm unable to find anything resembling what you described.

[@stupidburp]

As expensive as the F-22 is to operate and as expensive as it would be to upgrade them, this is still vastly less expensive than NGAD and deliverable about a decade sooner. The most likely timeframe for a major war with a near peer adversary is highest from now to a decade from now. NGAD will not be able to help with such a conflict at all and will seriously degrade the capability of current forces for such a conflict by diverting funds to the future and sacrificing near term modernizations.

[@josiechaney9010]

Perfect is the enemy of good, the adage says.

[@darneilsipalay4270]

Having a Super Raptor and NGAD sounds scary for the enemies in present and future

[@hk_brit_fisher]

F-22 is a such a majestic jet, and it still has so much life left in it, so happy to see the much needed upgrades

[@robertmoore3982]

Th answer : the felon and the dragon got new engines. They are pretty good. We need to maintain our overmatch. Plus we have the harder mission out of the 3. So a better raptor would be nice

[@jakesully2868]

All 8 Felons?

[@rossh2386]

Because we shouldn’t have ever stopped production of these bad boys

[@deansmits006]

True, but it's very difficult to predict the future and they are spendy. Too bad, moving on

[@bardylon]

The F-15 airframe has been flying since the early 1970’s. F-22 should have many years left with the right upgrades