In October 1986, two contractor teams, Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics and Northrop/McDonnell Douglas, were selected to build prototypes. In 1981, the Air Force put out a requirement for a new air superiority fighter that would replace the capability of the F-15 Eagle, incorporating emerging technologies such as advanced alloys, fly-by-wire flight control systems and stealth technology. The F-22 was born out of the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) demonstration and validation program to develop a next-generation air superiority fighter to counter emerging worldwide threats, inlcuding development and proliferation of Soviet-era Su-27 Flanker type aircraft. Intended to be the leading American advanced tactical fighter in the early part of the 21st century, the Raptor is the worlds most expensive fighter to date. Its sophisticated aerodesign, advanced flight controls, thrust vectoring and high thrust-to-weight ratio provide the capability to outmaneuver all current and projected aircraft.

The Raptor is capable of providing first-kill opportunities against threats. It performs both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, making it vital to the USAF. The F-22 is a combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, integrated avionics and improved supportability. Originally an air superiority fighter for use against the Soviet Air Force, it is also capable of ground attack, electronic warfare and signals intelligence roles. The F-22 Raptor is the newest fighter aircraft of the United States Air Force (USAF).

F 22 raptor toy plane