U.S. Air Force Details F-22 Upgrade Package to Sustain Air Superiority Through the 2030s

The U.S. Air Force has outlined a comprehensive upgrade package for its F-22 Raptor fleet, aimed at maintaining the aircraft’s operational relevance amid evolving global threats and technological advancements. These upgrades, detailed in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request, reflect a strategic effort to extend the viability of the F-22 into the 2030s and potentially beyond, despite the platform’s aging airframe and the emergence of sixth-generation fighter programs.

F-22 Raptor Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

The viability upgrade package encompasses a broad spectrum of enhancements, both hardware and software, designed to bolster the F-22’s survivability, lethality, and interoperability. Among the most prominent additions is the Infrared Defensive System (IRDS), a modernization initiative focused on improving the aircraft’s missile launch detection capabilities. The IRDS is intended to replace the legacy AN/AAR-56 Missile Launch Detector system, offering enhanced sensitivity and potentially expanded functionality. While the exact capabilities of the IRDS remain unspecified, comparisons have been drawn to the F-35’s Distributed Aperture System, suggesting a move toward more comprehensive infrared situational awareness.

Complementing the IRDS is the integration of podded Infrared Search and Track (IRST) sensors. These passive systems provide the ability to detect and track airborne threats without emitting signals that could reveal the aircraft’s position. The Air Force has confirmed plans to procure 30 IRST pods, with initial deliveries expected by the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2028. The potential for networking multiple IRST-equipped aircraft could enable triangulation of targets, enhancing engagement accuracy and situational awareness.

Stealth enhancements also feature prominently in the upgrade package. These include improvements to the aircraft’s low observable (LO) signature management, which may involve new radar-absorbing materials or coatings. Mirror-like coatings have been observed on F-22s during testing, suggesting experimentation with novel stealth technologies. These modifications aim to preserve the Raptor’s edge in contested environments where radar and infrared detection capabilities are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

The upgrade initiative also addresses pilot interface and survivability. The F-22 is set to receive the Thales Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display (HMD), a capability that was omitted during the aircraft’s original development. Additionally, the Air Force has contracted LIFT Airborne Technologies to develop a Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet (NGFWH), which could further enhance pilot situational awareness and comfort.

Electronic warfare (EW) capabilities are another focal point. The upgrade package includes enhancements to the F-22’s EW suite to counter emerging threats, particularly from adversaries developing advanced jamming and cyber capabilities. These improvements are intended to ensure the Raptor can operate effectively in highly contested electromagnetic environments.

The viability package also includes upgrades to the aircraft’s radar, specifically the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) functionality, and improvements to cybersecurity and cryptographic systems. These changes are designed to maintain the integrity and resilience of the F-22’s mission systems in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

In terms of range and persistence, the Air Force plans to equip the F-22 with Low Drag Tanks and Pylons (LDTP). These stealth-compatible external fuel tanks are designed to extend the aircraft’s range while minimizing radar signature and drag. The LDTP program includes technology maturation, flight testing, and eventual qualification for operational use.

Despite these extensive upgrades, the F-22 faces inherent limitations. The fleet comprises 185 aircraft, of which only 143 are combat-coded. The remainder are allocated to training and testing, and a significant portion is typically non-operational due to maintenance. The aircraft’s high operational costs and maintenance demands have led to debates about the cost-effectiveness of continued investment, especially in light of the Air Force’s broader modernization goals.

The viability upgrades are being pursued in parallel with the development of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which includes the F-47 sixth-generation fighter. Delays in NGAD timelines have likely influenced the decision to extend the F-22’s service life, ensuring a capable air superiority platform remains available in the interim.

The strategic rationale for these upgrades is rooted in the evolving threat landscape. Adversaries such as China and Russia are fielding advanced air-to-air and surface-to-air missile systems, including the Chinese PL-15, which has prompted the U.S. to develop the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM). The F-22’s upgrades are intended to preserve its “first look, first shot, first kill” advantage in this increasingly contested environment.

The F-22 viability upgrade package represents a multifaceted effort to sustain the aircraft’s relevance through targeted enhancements in stealth, sensing, electronic warfare, and pilot interface. While the long-term future of the Raptor remains uncertain amid the rise of sixth-generation platforms, these upgrades reflect a pragmatic approach to bridging the capability gap and maintaining air superiority in the near to mid-term.