Dismayed Air Power Experts on Raptor Retirement: Implications for Future Conflicts in the Pacific and Beyond

American air power experts are dismayed by the early retirement of the Raptor, which has been in service for less than 30 years since its first deployment. This is particularly concerning as modern American fighters like the Lockheed Martin F-16 and Boeing F-15 can fly for 40 years or more with upgrades. The fact that the Air Force is eager to replace its top fighter suggests where and how USAF leaders anticipate future wars will unfold, particularly in the vast western Pacific Ocean during a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan.

The F-22, being developed to replace the Raptor, is expected to be better suited for this type of conflict. With a $300 million price tag per copy, it was a long time coming from the Advanced Tactical Fighter initiative in the 1980s, first flew in demonstrator form in 1990, completed development in 2005, was deployed to Japan in 2006 and production finished in 2012. The type has seen action for the first time during the air campaign against Islamic State in 2014 and is currently deployed to deter China and Russia in both Pacific and Europe respectively.

However, despite its advanced design and exceptional performance, the F-22 is essentially a Cold War jet at heart. It was designed by Lockheed to confront the Soviet Union from bases in Europe, so limited endurance was not a major issue. An F-22 can only fly about 600 miles on internal fuel, which is sufficient for combat over Germany and Poland.