US Air Force pushes $1 billion F-22 raptor upgrade with RTX Raytheon

The US Air Force is significantly advancing its Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors fleet through a substantial $1 billion contract with RTX Raytheon, The National Interest reports. 

The US Air Force is heavily investing in the enhancement of its Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors fleet, with a recent $1 billion contract awarded to RTX Raytheon for advanced sensor upgrades. These improvements are part of a larger $7.8 billion modernization plan aimed at ensuring the F-22 maintains its air superiority through the 2030s, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

While 32 older Block 20 Raptors will be retired, the remaining 154 aircraft will benefit from these upgrades. The enhancements will also contribute to the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, with some technologies tested on the F-22 potentially being integrated into future systems. The $1 billion contract covers Group B hardware, spares, and support equipment, and will enhance the F-22’s sensor capabilities. The work will be carried out in McKinney, Texas, and is scheduled for completion by May 8, 2029. 

This upgrade is part of a broader modernization effort that includes improved connectivity, new cryptographic systems, and advanced threat detection, ensuring the F-22's continued effectiveness against emerging threats. Air Force Brigadier General Jason Voorheis, program executive officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), highlighted the intensive efforts to implement a modernization roadmap for the F-22, which includes upgrades to sensors, connectivity, weapons, and other advanced capabilities. The decision to retire older Raptors was driven by the goal of reallocating funds to the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, a comprehensive initiative that aims to develop a sixth-generation manned fighter and a fleet of drone wingmen.