F-35 vs F-22: Fighter Comparison 2025
The F-22 Raptor wins in pure air-superiority performance with Mach 2.25 speed and unmatched dogfighting agility, but the F-35 Lightning II wins for modern air forces with 40% lower cost, multinational export capability, and superior multi-role mission flexibility and allied network integration.
F-22 Raptor
U.S. Air Force air-superiority fighter optimized for dominance in beyond-visual-range and dogfighting engagements.
Air forces requiring air dominance against peer adversaries in contested airspace with unlimited budgets; U.S. Air Force homeland and forward-deployed operations.
F-35 Lightning II
Multi-role 5th-generation fighter designed for air combat, ground strike, and allied network integration across 19+ nations.
Allied air forces requiring modern, networked multi-role capability; missions spanning air defense, ground support, and coalition operations; forces prioritizing fleet size and interoperability over single-mission dominance.
The F-22 Raptor wins in pure air-superiority performance with Mach 2.25 speed and unmatched dogfighting agility, but the F-35 Lightning II wins for modern air forces with 40% lower cost, multinational export capability, and superior multi-role mission flexibility and allied network integration.
Deciding factor: F-35's 40% lower unit cost ($82M vs. $142M), export to 19+ allied nations, and real-time sensor fusion across coalition assets outweigh F-22's raw speed advantage in modern contested airspace where network advantage prevails over single-aircraft performance.
Key fact: As of 2025, 1,100+ F-35 aircraft are in production or service across 19 allied nations, while only 187 F-22 Raptors were ever built due to export restrictions and cost constraints; F-35 production continues at full rate while F-22 production ended in 2011.
Choose the F-22 if your primary mission is air-to-air superiority and you need the fastest, most maneuverable fighter for contested airspace with peer adversaries. Choose the F-35 if you need a modern, network-enabled multi-role platform that can perform diverse missions, integrate with allied forces, and operate sustainably within current and future defense budgets—it is the future of NATO and allied air forces worldwide.
Choose F-22 Raptor if
Air forces requiring air dominance against peer adversaries in contested airspace with unlimited budgets; U.S. Air Force homeland and forward-deployed operations.
Choose F-35 Lightning II if
Best pickAllied air forces requiring modern, networked multi-role capability; missions spanning air defense, ground support, and coalition operations; forces prioritizing fleet size and interoperability over single-mission dominance.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Maximum Speed:✓ F-22 Raptor wins(Mach 2.25 (1,190 mph / 1,915 km/h) vs Mach 1.6 (1,061 mph / 1,707 km/h))
- Primary Role:✓ F-35 Lightning II wins(Multi-role (air combat, ground attack, close air support, reconnaissance) vs Air superiority / Aerial combat)
- Unit Cost (2024):✓ F-35 Lightning II wins($82 million per aircraft vs $142 million per aircraft)
Compare next
F-16 vs F-15
Key Facts & Figures
7 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | F-22 Raptor | F-35 Lightning II | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Speed(Mach) | Mach 2.25 | Mach 1.6 | |
| Unit Cost (2024 USD)(million USD) | $142 million | $82 million | |
| Combat Radius(miles) | 590 miles | 680 miles | |
| Total Aircraft Produced (through 2025)(aircraft) | 187 aircraft | 1,100+ aircraft (planned 2,400+ across all partners) | |
| Engine Thrust (Combined)(lbf) | 65,000 lbf (Pratt & Whitney F119) | 43,000 lbf (Pratt & Whitney F135) | |
| Operational Service Entry Date(year) | 2005 | 2015 | |
| Allied Export Authorization (2025)(nations) | 0 (U.S. only) | 19+ allied nations |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- Mach 2.25 (1,190 mph / 1,915 km/h)(winner)Maximum SpeedMach 1.6 (1,061 mph / 1,707 km/h)
- Air superiority / Aerial combatPrimary RoleMulti-role (air combat, ground attack, close air support, reconnaissance)(winner)
- $142 million per aircraftUnit Cost (2024)$82 million per aircraft(winner)
- 590 miles (950 km)Combat Radius680 miles (1,093 km)(winner)
- Production ended 2011 (187 total built)Production Status (2025)Active production ongoing (1,000+ aircraft across allied nations)(winner)
- Passive radar; limited sensor networkingStealth Sensor FusionDistributed Aperture System (DAS) with full sensor fusion and real-time allied data-link(winner)
- 2005(winner)Operational Service Entry2015 (IOC)
- Maximum Speed
F-22 Raptor
Mach 2.25 (1,190 mph / 1,915 km/h)(winner)
F-35 Lightning II
Mach 1.6 (1,061 mph / 1,707 km/h)
- Primary Role
F-22 Raptor
Air superiority / Aerial combat
F-35 Lightning II
Multi-role (air combat, ground attack, close air support, reconnaissance)(winner)
- Unit Cost (2024)
F-22 Raptor
$142 million per aircraft
F-35 Lightning II
$82 million per aircraft(winner)
- Combat Radius
F-22 Raptor
590 miles (950 km)
F-35 Lightning II
680 miles (1,093 km)(winner)
- Production Status (2025)
F-22 Raptor
Production ended 2011 (187 total built)
F-35 Lightning II
Active production ongoing (1,000+ aircraft across allied nations)(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | F-22 Raptor | F-35 Lightning II |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Speed(Mach) | Mach 2.25(winner) | Mach 1.6 |
| Unit Cost (2024 USD)(million USD) | $142 million | $82 million(winner) |
| Combat Radius(miles) | 590 miles | 680 miles(winner) |
| Total Aircraft Produced (through 2025)(aircraft) | 187 aircraft | 1,100+ aircraft (planned 2,400+ across all partners)(winner) |
| Engine Thrust (Combined)(lbf) | 65,000 lbf (Pratt & Whitney F119)(winner) | 43,000 lbf (Pratt & Whitney F135) |
| Operational Service Entry Date(year) | 2005(winner) | 2015 |
| Allied Export Authorization (2025)(nations) | 0 (U.S. only) | 19+ allied nations(winner) |
F-22 RaptorF-35 Lightning IIPros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
F-22 Raptor
Pros
Cons
F-35 Lightning II
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
The F-22 contains classified technologies including radar-absorbing materials (RAM), engine nozzle designs, and sensor fusion algorithms deemed too sensitive for export under the Arms Control Act. The F-35, conversely, was designed from inception as an allied multinational platform with proper classification compartmentalization, enabling export to NATO and partner nations under strict end-use agreements.
No. The F-22 has a maximum speed of Mach 2.25 (1,190 mph), while the F-35 maxes out at Mach 1.6 (1,061 mph). However, the F-35 has a longer combat radius (680 miles vs. 590 miles) and superior sustained-maneuver performance when leveraging sensor fusion and network advantages over adversaries.
The F-22 has superior instantaneous turn rate and supermaneuverability due to thrust-vectoring engines and lower wing loading. However, the F-35 is not designed for dogfighting as its primary engagement; it relies on beyond-visual-range kills enabled by its Distributed Aperture System, sensor fusion, and real-time data-link with allied assets. In modern air combat, the F-35's network advantage typically negates the need for close-in maneuvering.
Both aircraft are planned to remain operational into the 2050s. The F-22 (187 units) is being modernized with block upgrades and avionics refreshes by the U.S. Air Force. The F-35 (1,000+ units across 19+ nations) will serve as the backbone of coalition air forces through mid-century. The F-35's larger fleet and multinational sustainment infrastructure suggest it will have longer total operational longevity across allied forces.
The F-22 costs $142 million per unit vs. $82 million for the F-35 (2024 pricing). The F-22's higher cost stems from: (1) fewer aircraft produced (187 vs. 1,100+), which amortizes development across smaller volume; (2) unique exotic materials and engine technology; (3) early 5th-gen development costs not yet realized through economies of scale. The F-35's lower unit cost is driven by large international orders and established production infrastructure.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
- W
F-22 Raptor on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
U.S. Air Force air-superiority fighter optimized for dominance in beyond-visual-range and dogfighting engagements.
- W
F-35 Lightning II on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Multi-role 5th-generation fighter designed for air combat, ground strike, and allied network integration across 19+ nations.
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