The United States criticizes the F-22 Raptor aircraft

Defense industry news March 26: The United States criticized the F-22 Raptor aircraft, as experts in this country said that the Raptor aircraft is too expensive and complicated to maintain.

Without a 6th generation aircraft, US experts have criticized the F-22 Raptor; Ukraine has announced the development of a secret UAV for the navy... are the contents of today's defense industry news, March 26.

Without 6th generation aircraft, US experts criticize F-22

The fifth-generation F-22 Raptor fighter, which is scheduled to be replaced by the advanced F-47 fighter, is too expensive to operate. The aircraft's problems were reported in the publication 19FortyFive.

The author notes that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the F-22 lost its potential adversary. Meanwhile, Washington needed money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a result, the production of the F-22 was stopped. “The United States made a big mistake. They didn’t stop producing the F-22, they shut it down. It’s true that the F-22 is extremely expensive, but the cost would have come down if they had continued to produce it,” writes 19FortyFive.

F-22 Raptor 5th generation fighter. Photo: Defense News

19FortyFive emphasizes that, of the 186 F-22s produced, about 150-180 are still combat-ready. At the same time, the cost of maintaining and operating the aircraft is too high. Moreover, the US military does not have a replacement for the F-22 in case of a crash or loss in combat.

In early March 2025, TWZ reported that the F-22 fighter jet made its first flight as part of the modernization program. The aircraft will be equipped with new sensors that will improve the effectiveness of target detection and tracking.

The F-47 will be the world's first manned sixth-generation fighter, although China, Russia and European countries are also developing new generations of fighters.

The future US fighter jet is advertised as superior in a series of parameters such as speed, stealth, operating range, weapons, etc. Although details have not been announced, the F-47 is predicted to have many new features, making it superior to current fighters.

“The speed of the plane is in the top tier: ‘Over two’ — which we don’t hear that often,” Trump said of the F-47’s speed, implying that the plane can reach Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound). By comparison, the F-22 — the plane it will replace — can fly above Mach 1.5 and reach Mach 2, while the F-35 can reach Mach 1.6.

Regarding stealth capabilities, according to Mr. Trump, the F-47 is “basically undetectable.” “America’s enemies will never see it coming,” US Air Force Chief of Staff David Allvin told reporters recently.

Air & Space Forces magazine pointed out some differences between the F-47 and the F-22. According to the simulated image of the aircraft shown at the White House, the F-47 still has the typical shape of a stealth fighter, but the wings tilt upward at a special angle, different from previous stealth fighters.

Ukraine announces development of secret unmanned boats for navy

Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov presented the latest secret unmanned boat "Katran" produced by the local military company Military Armored Company HUB.

“Information about the tasks of this unmanned boat is classified, but it has already become a real turning point at sea,” wrote the Minister of Digital Development of Ukraine. According to Mykhailo Fedorov, the drone has torpedoes, machine guns, man-portable machine guns (MANPADS) and other weapons, can cover more than 1,000 km, and can be used for both attack and reconnaissance purposes. The drone can destroy targets at sea, on land and in the air.

Ukraine is trying to become self-sufficient in UAV technology as ammunition aid has sharply decreased. Photo: Getty

In addition, the system also has the ability to automatically identify threats and trigger traps. “This is a superior technology, setting a new standard for warfare,” Mr. Fedorov emphasized.

Türkiye successfully test-fires new domestic cruise missile

The Turkish military has successfully launched its first SOM-J air-launched cruise missile, developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE to attack surface and land targets, Naval News reported, citing Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir.

The SOM-J cruise missile launched from an F-16 fighter jet hit a surface target with high accuracy. The length of the new SOM-J cruise missile is 3.9 meters, the weight is 540 kg (warhead weight is 140 kg). The target destruction range is 275 km. Subsonic speed.

Mehmet Fatih Kacir stressed that the SOM-J cruise missile is effective against both land and sea targets. Some of the system's features include the ability to re-position targets in flight, abort missions and jam communications.

SOM-J cruise missile participates in test firing. Photo: Topwar

Kadzir also noted compatibility with national aviation platforms such as the new-generation KAAN fighter jet and the KIZILELMA attack drone. The missile is equipped with an infrared homing head and a warhead optimized for hitting surface targets. To improve stealth, the missile's radar signature is significantly concealed.

The SOM-J missile is designed to attack well-protected land and sea targets; it is mounted in internal bays of aircraft and drones, or on under-wing hardpoints. The Roketsan company is responsible for the production of the missile.

According to Naval News, the SOM-J missile was originally developed to equip the F-35 fighter jets that Ankara planned to purchase from the United States. However, after Türkiye was removed from the F-35 program, Ankara decided to adapt this missile to equip other fighter jets in service with the Turkish Air Force.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/hoa-ky-che-may-bay-f-22-raptor-380076.html