F22 vs F35 fighter jet– Who Wins the Battle?

“Air superiority is not a choice — it’s a necessity.” That quote is from a former USAF general that echoes loud and clear when reviewing two of the most iconic aircraft ever built, the F22 vs F35 fighter jet. These aren’t just ordinary planes; in fact are airborne systems of power, built with precision and advancement to dominate the modern battlefield.

Engineers designed the F-22 Raptor, as a beast in the air, to fight and win wars that might never happen. The F-35 Lightning II, on the other hand, works as a high-tech marvel, purpose-built to fight the battles of today and tomorrow; both in the sky and beyond.

But the question remains: when it comes to the f22 vs f35 fighter jet, who really wins the battle?

Let’s break it down.

What Makes the F-22 and F-35 So Special?

Both jets are made in United States and considered as the “fifth-generation” fighter class. It tells us that these jets depend on stealth, speed, and advanced systems to win their battles.

The F-22 Raptor is just like a sports car as it is super-fast, capable of turning on a dime, and designed solely for the purpose of air combat. It excels at dogfights, which consists of close-up air battles between fighter planes.

The F-35 Lightning II, by contrast, seems more like smartphone with wings attatched. It may not outrun the F-22, but it can outthink it. It is capable of flying missions, dropping bombs, tracking its enemies, and even serving as guide for other jets via its onboard computers and sensors.

Speed, Agility, and Power: Who’s Faster?

Let’s talk about speed. The F-22 clearly leads. It can fly at approx. Mach 2.25, that is more than twice the speed of sound. It also utilizes supercruise, making it capable of flying extremely fast without fuel-hungry afterburners.

The F-35 flies at a slower speed with highest at Mach 1.6, but that doesn’t make it weak. Instead, designers traded some of its speed so in turn the jet could carry more tools for modern missions. Thinking of it as trading speed for brainpower.

So in a race or in a close fight, the F-22 always wins. However, the F-35 serves a different kind of power.

F22 vs F35 Fighter Jet: Stealth and Sensors

Both jets avoid radar detection — much like wearing an invisibility cloak. Still, the way each jet “sees” enemies matters just as much.

The F-22 remains harder to spot head-on, which additionally provide it a strong advantage in surprise attacks. However, it does not have the same level of computing power present in the F-35.

The F-35 utilizes sensor fusion where it gathers information from satellites, other jets, and the ground radars. Consequently, the pilot can receive a full 360-degree view of the battlefield. The jet can spot the potential threats at initial stage and immediately forward that information to allies.

In today’s technology-driven combat zones, knowing first often means winning first — and that strongly favors the F-35.

Dogfighting: Which Jet Is More Dangerous in a Close Fight?

If the two jets entered a close-up dogfight mode, there would be no doubt that the F-22 would likely come out on top. Its turn capability is better, its speed greater, and its punching power from its missiles stronger – all of them designed to handle aerial battle engagements.

The F-35 isn’t as agile, still the F-35 does not take part in Close-Range Battles. It rather makes use of Long-Range Weapons as it tries to keep away from the enemy while attacking its targets.

Thus in the classic dogfight match, the F-22 easily trumps the other. Yet in the context of high-tech and long-distance combat, the F-35 might never need to engage at close range.

F22 vs F35 Fighter Jet Size and Design

Here’s a simple size comparison.

The F-22 is larger and serves only the U.S. military. On the other hand, F-35 is smaller and the service providers are up to several nations. Indeed, some models of F-35 can operate from short-field runways or even from aircraft carriers.

It is for these reasons that the F-35 is considered more practical for most uses.

F22 vs F35 Fighter Jet Price and Cost to Operate

Here’s where things really get interesting.

The F-22, now out of production, carried a price tag of roughly $350 million per unit, including research and development. Its maintenance and operational expenses also run high — nearly $70,000 per flight hour.

The F-35 now costs between $80 and $100 million per unit, depending on the variant, despite early complaints about budget overruns. Because its hourly operating cost is closer to $36,000, it is far more economical.

The F-35 has an advantage in real-world operations because the F-22 vs F-35 cost comparison clearly shows a difference in long-term sustainability.

Which Countries Use Them?

Only the United States operates the F-22. Engineers designed just 187 units, and as a result, production has ended.

The F-35, however, serves various countries that includes the UK, Australia, Japan, Israel, and others. 1,000 above F-35s fly today, turning it the most widely used fighter jet in the world.

What Do People Think Online? (Reddit Talk)

A quick look at Reddit shows up strong opinions on both sides. Many users personally like the F-22 as the better pure fighter, while others argue that F-35 feels smarter, newer, and more useful in modern days missions.

Some military enthusiasts thinks of jets as best working together — with the F-22 dominating the skies and the F-35 coordinating and supporting operations from behind the scenes.

Final Thoughts: So, Who Wins the Battle?

So, f22 vs f35 fighter jet — who wins?

I don’t think there’s a hard-and-fast rule. It just depends on the mission.

If you are looking to win a dog fight, you fly the F-22. On the other hand if you need a fighter plane to acquire information, assist with attacks, bomb earthbound objectives, or coordinate efforts with other countries’ military forces, then you need to use the F-35 plane.

“The F-22 is the faster, more lethal hunter. The F-35 is the smart warrior.”

In the future of warfare, where teamwork, intelligence, and quick thinking are the hallmarks of success, perhaps it’s true that the F-35 has an edge. It is simply impossible, however, to deny that these two aircraft are great in their own way.
Also read: https://aviationjourney.com/embraer-lineage-1000e/

FAQs

Is F-22 better than F-35?
It depends. The F-22 is better in air-to-air combat, but the F-35 is better for modern missions with tech and versatility.

What are the F-22’s biggest weaknesses?
It’s very expensive, harder to maintain, and doesn’t have the same multi-role tools as the F-35.

Which fighter jet can defeat the F-35?
Possibly the F-22 in close combat. But few jets can match the F-35’s tech and stealth at longer ranges.

Why is the F-22 being retired?
It’s expensive to operate and wasn’t built in large numbers. The military is focusing on newer, more flexible jets like the F-35.