Is the F-22 Raptor Still Relevant in 2025?

The F-22 Raptor, a fifth-generation fighter, is facing a potential phase-out due to the high costs of upgrading it. The required overhaul would cost $11 billion, and its outdated computer hardware would need a complete replacement, not just a simple software fix. This makes it less cost-effective to continue maintaining the aircraft. Additionally, the Raptor's radar-absorbent coating, essential for stealth, deteriorates at high speeds, increasing maintenance costs significantly. Operating the aircraft is also expensive, with a price tag of $30,000 per flight hour, further burdening the Air Force's budget. Instead of investing in the F-22’s aging technology, the Air Force is shifting focus to next-generation fighter aircraft. This decision reflects the desire to prioritize more advanced, cost-effective options for future air superiority, rather than pouring billions into maintaining an aging fleet. #F22Raptor #F22 #AirForce #MilitaryTech #NextGenFighters #Aviation #StealthAircraft #FighterJets _________________________________________________ To contact me directly: Dashboardglobal@techie.com _________________________________________________ Our channel is about Aviation. We make the best educational aviation videos you've ever seen; my videos are designed to clear misunderstandings about airplanes and explain complicated aviation topics in a simple way.