F-22 vs F-35 – Head to Head

Got it β€” you want a powerful breakdown of the F-22 Raptor vs F-35 Lightning II that really highlights their features in an exciting way. πŸš€ Let’s do a side-by-side with the traits that make each jet blow minds:


πŸ›‘οΈ F-22 Raptor – The Air Dominance King

πŸ”Ή Role: Air superiority fighter (built to dominate the skies)
πŸ”Ή Speed: Mach 2.25+ (supercruise without afterburner at Mach 1.8)
πŸ”Ή Agility: Thrust-vectoring nozzles give it insane maneuverability (dogfight monster)
πŸ”Ή Radar Stealth: One of the most radar-invisible jets ever built
πŸ”Ή Armament:

  • 6 AIM-120 AMRAAMs + 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders internally
  • 20mm Vulcan cannon
  • Can carry bombs, but optimized for fighters
    πŸ”Ή Avionics: Advanced sensor fusion, but slightly older compared to F-35
    πŸ”Ή Signature Strength: Unmatched in air-to-air combat β€” designed to clear the skies.

πŸ’₯ Think of the F-22 as the heavyweight boxer β€” fast, lethal, unstoppable in a duel.


⚑ F-35 Lightning II – The Multirole Beast

πŸ”Ή Role: Strike fighter (built to do everything β€” air, ground, electronic warfare, intel)
πŸ”Ή Speed: Mach 1.6 (slower than F-22, but still supersonic)
πŸ”Ή Agility: Not as maneuverable as F-22, but optimized for stealth + sensors
πŸ”Ή Radar Stealth: Arguably stealthier from more angles than F-22
πŸ”Ή Armament:

  • 4 internal missiles/bombs (up to 22,000 lbs external if stealth not needed)
  • Precision ground strike weapons (JDAMs, SDBs, etc.)
  • 25mm cannon (F-35A only)
    πŸ”Ή Avionics:
  • Most advanced sensor fusion in the world
  • Distributed Aperture System (360Β° vision with helmet HUD)
  • Electronic warfare + cyber attack capability
    πŸ”Ή Signature Strength: Swiss Army Knife of jets β€” can hit air, land, sea, and jam enemy defenses.

πŸ’₯ Think of the F-35 as the MMA fighter β€” maybe not the fastest punch, but can strike, grapple, choke, and hack you at the same time.


βš”οΈ F-22 vs F-35 – Head to Head

  • Dogfight β†’ F-22 wins, no contest.
  • Stealth strike on ground targets β†’ F-35 takes it.
  • Air superiority mission β†’ F-22.
  • Multirole operations (strike, intel, EW) β†’ F-35.
  • Cost β†’ F-22 was too expensive ($150M+ per jet, canceled at 187 built). F-35 cheaper (around $80M each), and exportable.

πŸ”₯ Bottom Line:

  • F-22 = The sky assassin (air combat dominance).
  • F-35 = The stealth ninja (multirole, tech powerhouse).

Want me to make you a visual battle card infographic comparing them (so you can see si