Home
Catalog
Compare
F-22 Raptor vs F-35 Lightning II: Which Jet Dominates the Skies in 2025?

F-22 Raptor vs F-35 Lightning II: Which Jet Dominates the Skies in 2025?

F-22 vs F-35 Comparison:

The F-22 Raptor vs F-35 Lightning II represent the pinnacle of American airpower, both crafted by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force and allied nations. While the F-22 was designed for absolute air superiority, excelling in speed, agility, and stealth, the F-35 serves as a multi-role stealth fighter optimized for strike missions, intelligence gathering, and interoperability. As global tensions rise and air dominance becomes increasingly data-driven, the Raptor vs Lightning II comparison is more relevant than ever. Both jets define the future of aerial warfare—but with different philosophies driving their design and combat roles.

Performance Verdict

When comparing the F-22 Raptor vs F-35 Lightning II, both fighters showcase unmatched fifth-generation technology, yet their strengths lie in different arenas. The F-22 Raptor, with twin Pratt & Whitney F119 engines, boasts superior thrust-to-weight ratio, supercruise capability, and exceptional agility—making it the world’s most formidable air dominance platform. Its stealth design and unmatched aerial combat performance make it nearly invisible to radar and lethal in dogfights.
In contrast, the F-35 Lightning II prioritizes multirole flexibility and digital warfare. Its advanced sensor fusion, electronic warfare systems, and seamless network integration give it the edge in situational awareness and joint operations. While slower and less maneuverable than the F-22, the F-35’s adaptability, lower maintenance costs, and export availability make it the future backbone of allied air forces.
Verdict: The F-22 reigns supreme in air superiority, but the F-35 defines the modern, connected battlespace of 2025.

	F-22 Raptor Fighter Jet F-35 Lightning II Fighter Jet

Price
Our Rating	8.0 8.8
Brand	Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin
Category	Fighter Jets Fighter Jets

General Information

Name	F-22 Raptor F-35 Lightning II
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense Lockheed Martin
Country of Origin	United States United States
Type / Role	Air Superiority Stealth Fighter Multirole Stealth Fighter
Generation	Fifth Generation 5th
Status	In active service In Service
First Flight	September 7, 1997 December 15, 2006
Introduction / In Service Since	December 15, 2005 2015
Number Built	187 operational units 1,200+ (as of 2025)
Operators	United States Air Force USA, UK, Japan, Israel, Italy, Australia, and others

Dimensions & Structure

Length	62 ft (18.9 m) 51.2 ft (15.6 m)
Wingspan	44.5 ft (13.6 m) 35 ft (10.7 m)
Height	16.7 ft (5.1 m) 14.4 ft (4.38 m)
Wing Area	840 sq ft (78 m²) 460 sq ft (42.7 m²)
Empty Weight	43,340 lb (19,700 kg) 29,300 lb (13,300 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	83,500 lb (38,000 kg) 70,000 lb (31,800 kg)
Internal Weapons Bay	3 total (1 centerline, 2 side) 2 (up to 5,700 lb payload)
External Hardpoints	4 (non-stealth configuration) 6–10 (up to 18,000 lb total)

Performance

Maximum Speed	Mach 2.25 (2,414 km/h) Mach 1.6
Range	1,840 miles (2,960 km) 1,380 mi (2,220 km)
Combat Radius	530 miles (850 km) ~670 mi (1,080 km)
Service Ceiling	65,000 ft (19,800 m) 50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Rate of Climb	62,000 ft/min (315 m/s) 45,000 ft/min
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	1.26 0.87
G Limits	+9 G +9

Powerplant

Engine Type	Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100
No. of Engines	2 1
Thrust (each)	35,000 lbf (156 kN) 43,000 lbf
Thrust Vectoring	Yes (2D pitch vectoring) Yes (on F-35B variant)
Fuel Capacity	18,000 lb (8,200 kg) internal ~18,500 lb internal

Armament

Gun	1× M61A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon GAU-22/A 25mm cannon (F-35A)
Missiles (Air-to-Air)	AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X
Missiles (Air-to-Ground)	JDAM, SDB AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-158 JASSM
Bombs	GBU-32 JDAM, GBU-39 SDB JDAM, Paveway II/III, SDB I/II
Hardpoints	4 external (optional) 6 external + 2 internal
Payload Capacity	18,000 lb (8,200 kg) ~18,000 lb

Avionics & Systems

Radar	AN/APG-77 AESA radar AN/APG-81 AESA
Radar Range	125+ miles (200+ km) ~150+ km
Electronic Warfare (EW) System	AN/ALR-94 suite AN/ASQ-239 suite
Targeting System	Integrated multi-sensor fusion EOTS (Electro-Optical Targeting System)
Helmet Display	Standard HUD (no HMD in baseline) HMDS Gen III
Navigation	GPS/INS GPS/INS with terrain-following
Autopilot / AI Assistance	Digital fly-by-wire Advanced flight management
Communication	Intra-flight data link, secure comms MADL & Link 16 secure data links

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	~0.0001 m² ~0.001 m²
Stealth Features	Radar-absorbent materials, internal weapons RAM coating, internal weapons bay, edge alignment
Infrared Signature Reduction	Engine exhaust shielding Yes
Sensor Fusion	Yes Full 360° data integration
Networking Capabilities	Limited Link-16, proprietary data link Distributed data-sharing with allied units

Variants

Special Export Versions

None (export restricted) F-35I (Israel), F-35A (Japan), etc.

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Syria (2014–present) Middle East operations (Iraq, Syria)
Notable Operators	USAF (Air Combat Command, PACAF) USAF, USN, USMC, RAF, IDF
Combat Proven?	Yes Yes
Mission Types	Air superiority, interception, precision strike Air superiority, strike, SEAD, ISR

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	~$150 million (flyaway) $80–100 million (variant-dependent)
Development Cost	~$67 billion (program total) ~$400 billion (program total)
Program Name	Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)
Funding Countries	United States only USA, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Canada, Australia, etc.

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	Avionics, radar, networking, sensors Block 4, Tech Refresh 3
Future Replacement	NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) NGAD (2035+)
Export Restrictions	U.S. Congress export ban U.S. FMS approval required
Notable Achievements	First operational 5th-gen fighter Widest global fighter program in history
Competitors	F-35 Lightning II, Su-57, J-20 Su-57, J-20, Tempest, KF-21

Disclaimer Note

The information provided on TheDefenseWatch.com is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of our content regarding defense and aerospace products, technologies, and specifications, we cannot guarantee that all information is 100% accurate or up-to-date due to the evolving nature of military technology and classified data. TheDefenseWatch.com does not warrant the reliability, suitability, or availability of the information for any specific purpose. Users are advised to consult official sources, such as manufacturers, government publications, or defense agencies, for precise and verified data before making decisions based on our content. We are not affiliated with any defense manufacturers, governments, or military organizations mentioned. Opinions, reviews, and ratings reflect expert analysis but are subjective and should not be considered endorsements. TheDefenseWatch.com is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of this website’s content. External links are provided for convenience and do not imply endorsement. TheDefenseWatch.com reserves the right to update or modify content without prior notice. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy & Cookies Policy.