The Replacement for the F-22 Raptor is Finally Ready for Action
According to the recently proposed budget, the US Air Force intends to retire roughly three dozen F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets in fiscal 2023, preferring to focus on its Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
The service intends to retire 33 of its oldest F-22s. These jets appear to be no longer combat competent and are primarily utilized for training purposes. According to Maj. Gen. James Peccia, the Air Force's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, the cost of preparing these F-22s for battle will be $1.8 billion over eight years.
As a result, the USAF decided to shift those monies to NGAD research on cutting-edge combat jet designs.
The NGAD would increase by $9 billion. This sixth-generation fighter aircraft will eventually replace the F-22 Raptor fleet.