Fewer than expected: US Air Force grapples with limited fleet of combat-ready Raptors

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, introduced in 2005, remains a significant component of the United States Air Force's fleet. Initially intended to replace older models like the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Raptor was designed under the Advanced Tactical Fighter program starting in 1981. However, changes in geopolitical circumstances and budget constraints led to a reduction in its production.

Originally, the Air Force planned to acquire 750 units but ultimately received only 187 operational Raptors. Of these, approximately 32 are designated as training variants that require substantial upgrades for combat use. The total number of Raptors built was 195, with eight allocated for testing and development purposes.

Throughout its service life, the F-22 has experienced several accidents. According to the Aviation Safety Network, there have been at least five write-offs among these incidents. Consequently, the Air Force currently maintains around 183 airframes, with FlightGlobal listing about 178 as operational.