F-35 vs F-22: Fighter Comparison 2026
The F-22 is a superior air-to-air fighter with better speed and maneuverability, while the F-35 is a versatile multi-role platform designed for ground attack, naval operations, and coalition warfare across three variants. The F-22 excels in air dominance while the F-35 prioritizes mission flexibility and affordability.
F-22 Raptor
US 5th-generation air superiority fighter optimized for air-to-air dominance and stealth performance.
Air forces requiring pure air dominance in contested airspace; frontline combat scenarios against advanced fighter threats.
F-35 Lightning II
Lockheed Martin 5th-generation stealth multirole fighter with advanced sensor fusion and network integration.
Allied air forces needing multi-mission capability; naval operations; cost-conscious procurement; coalition-integrated operations; ground support missions.
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe F-22 is a superior air-to-air fighter with better speed and maneuverability, while the F-35 is a versatile multi-role platform designed for ground attack, naval operations, and coalition warfare across three variants. The F-22 excels in air dominance while the F-35 prioritizes mission flexibility and affordability.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose the F-22 if you need absolute air superiority with superior speed, maneuverability, and long-range combat range—it remains the world's most dominant air-to-air fighter. Choose the F-35 if you need a versatile, affordable platform that operates across multiple domains, integrates with allied forces, and performs strike, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions alongside traditional combat roles.
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Choose F-22 Raptor if
Air forces requiring pure air dominance in contested airspace; frontline combat scenarios against advanced fighter threats.
Choose F-35 Lightning II if
Best pickAllied air forces needing multi-mission capability; naval operations; cost-conscious procurement; coalition-integrated operations; ground support missions.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Primary Mission Focus:✓ F-35 Lightning II wins(Multi-role (air-to-air, air-to-ground, electronic warfare) vs Air superiority and air-to-air combat)
- Maximum Speed:✓ F-22 Raptor wins(Mach 2.25 (1,190 knots) vs Mach 1.6+ (880 knots))
- Combat Radius:✓ F-22 Raptor wins(760 nautical miles vs 717 nautical miles)
Key Facts & Figures
36 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | F-22 Raptor | F-35 Lightning II | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat Radius(nautical miles) | 760 nm | 717 nm | |
| Flyaway Cost(USD millions) | $361 million | $131 million | |
| Maximum G-Force(g) | 9g | 9g | |
| Radar Range (Detection)(nautical miles) | 200+ nm (APG-77 active array) | 150+ nm (passive targeting) | |
| Operational Readiness Rate(percent) | 72% | 56% | |
| International Operators(nations) | 1 nation (U.S. only) | 19 nations | |
| Supercruise Speed(Mach) | Mach 1.5+ | Not capable | — |
| Maximum Supercruise Speed(Mach) | Mach 1.6+ | — | — |
| Unit Acquisition Cost(USD millions) | $350-380 million | $165-170M | |
| Internal Weapons Payload Capacity(lbs) | 10,000 lbs | — | — |
| Operational Service Entry(year) | 2005 | — | — |
| Combat Deployments (Confirmed)(number of operations) | 100+ deployments | 2 (limited combat ops) | |
| Fuselage Length(meters) | 18.37m | — | — |
| Operational Squadrons (Estimated)(squadrons) | 12+ squadrons | — | — |
| Annual Operating Cost Per Aircraft(USD millions) | $8.2 million/year | $9.2 million | |
| Maximum Speed(Mach number) | Mach 2.25 | Mach 1.6+ | |
| Service Ceiling(feet) | 65,000 ft | 60,000 ft | |
| Unit Cost (2024)(USD millions) | $150 million | $107 million (average) | |
| Internal Weapons Capacity(pounds) | 2,000 lbs | 5,700 lbs | |
| Operating Cost per Flight Hour(USD thousands) | $44,000 | $25,000 | |
| Total Planned Production(aircraft) | 187 units (completed) | 2,456 units (projected) | |
| Operational Variants(count) | 1 (air superiority only) | 3 (conventional, carrier, STOVL) | |
| Unit Flyaway Cost(USD millions) | $130-140 million | $130-140 million | |
| Combat Sorties (Total History)(sorties) | ~2,500 sorties (2018-2024) | ~2,500 sorties (2018-2024) | |
| Operational Service Years(years) | 8 years in combat operations (2018-2026) | 8 years in combat operations (2018-2026) | |
| First-Look Combat Range Advantage(miles) | 200+ mile detection while remaining undetected | 200+ mile detection while remaining undetected | |
| Combat Radius (no refueling)(kilometers) | 920 km | 920 km | |
| Radar Cross-Section(m²) | <0.001 m² (stealth design) | <0.001 m² (stealth design) | |
| Internal Weapon Capacity(lbs) | 18,250 lbs | 18,250 lbs | |
| Operational Countries(number of nations) | 13 nations | 13 nations | |
| Service Entry Year(year) | 2015 (U.S. IOC) | 2015 (U.S. IOC) | |
| Combat Radius (Internal Fuel)(kilometers) | 760 km | 760 km | |
| Operational Nations (2024)(countries) | 15 nations | 15 nations | |
| Life-Cycle Program Cost(USD trillions) | $1.7 trillion | $1.7 trillion | |
| Radar Cross Section (RCS)(m² (square meters)) | 0.001 m² (frontal aspect) | 0.001 m² (frontal aspect) | |
| Maximum Turn Rate(g-force (gravitational force)) | 5.5 g average | 5.5 g average |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- Air superiority and air-to-air combatPrimary Mission FocusMulti-role (air-to-air, air-to-ground, electronic warfare)(winner)
- Mach 2.25 (1,190 knots)(winner)Maximum SpeedMach 1.6+ (880 knots)
- 760 nautical miles(winner)Combat Radius717 nautical miles
- $150 million per aircraftUnit Cost (2024 USD)$84-130 million per aircraft(winner)
- US-only (export ban)International Availability35+ allied nations approved(winner)
- 180 aircraft deliveredProduction Units (as of 2026)2,000+ aircraft planned(winner)
- 2x AIM-120, 2x AIM-9 internallyWeapons Bay Capacity4x AIM-120, 2x AIM-9 internally(winner)
- Primary Mission Focus
F-22 Raptor
Air superiority and air-to-air combat
F-35 Lightning II
Multi-role (air-to-air, air-to-ground, electronic warfare)(winner)
- Maximum Speed
F-22 Raptor
Mach 2.25 (1,190 knots)(winner)
F-35 Lightning II
Mach 1.6+ (880 knots)
- Combat Radius
F-22 Raptor
760 nautical miles(winner)
F-35 Lightning II
717 nautical miles
- Unit Cost (2024 USD)
F-22 Raptor
$150 million per aircraft
F-35 Lightning II
$84-130 million per aircraft(winner)
- International Availability
F-22 Raptor
US-only (export ban)
F-35 Lightning II
35+ allied nations approved(winner)
- Production Units (as of 2026)
F-22 Raptor
180 aircraft delivered
F-35 Lightning II
2,000+ aircraft planned(winner)
- Weapons Bay Capacity
F-22 Raptor
2x AIM-120, 2x AIM-9 internally
F-35 Lightning II
4x AIM-120, 2x AIM-9 internally(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | F-22 Raptor | F-35 Lightning II |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Radius(nautical miles) | 760 nm(winner) | 717 nm |
| Supercruise Speed(Mach) | Mach 1.5+ | Not capable |
| Maximum Supercruise Speed(Mach) | Mach 1.6+ | — |
| Maximum Speed(Mach number) | Mach 2.25(winner) | Mach 1.6+ |
| Service Ceiling(feet) | 65,000 ft(winner) | 60,000 ft |
Show 2 more attributesCombat Radius (no refueling)(kilometers) 920 km — Combat Radius (Internal Fuel)(kilometers) 760 km — | ||
| Flyaway Cost(USD millions) | $361 million | $131 million(winner) |
| Maximum G-Force(g) | 9g | 9g |
| Maximum Turn Rate(g-force (gravitational force)) | 5.5 g average | — |
| Radar Range (Detection)(nautical miles) | 200+ nm (APG-77 active array)(winner) | 150+ nm (passive targeting) |
| Operational Readiness Rate(percent) | 72%(winner) | 56% |
| International Operators(nations) | 1 nation (U.S. only) | 19 nations(winner) |
| Operational Countries(number of nations) | 13 nations | — |
| Unit Acquisition Cost(USD millions) | $350-380 million | $165-170M(winner) |
| Annual Operating Cost Per Aircraft(USD millions) | $8.2 million/year(winner) | $9.2 million |
| Unit Cost (2024)(USD millions) | $150 million | $107 million (average)(winner) |
| Operating Cost per Flight Hour(USD thousands) | $44,000 | $25,000(winner) |
| Unit Flyaway Cost(USD millions) | $130-140 million | — |
Show 1 more attributeLife-Cycle Program Cost(USD trillions) $1.7 trillion — | ||
| Internal Weapons Payload Capacity(lbs) | 10,000 lbs | — |
| Internal Weapons Capacity(pounds) | 2,000 lbs | 5,700 lbs(winner) |
| Internal Weapon Capacity(lbs) | 18,250 lbs | — |
| Operational Service Entry(year) | 2005 | — |
| Service Entry Year(year) | 2015 (U.S. IOC) | — |
| Combat Deployments (Confirmed)(number of operations) | 100+ deployments(winner) | 2 (limited combat ops) |
| Fuselage Length(meters) | 18.37m | — |
| Operational Squadrons (Estimated)(squadrons) | 12+ squadrons | — |
| Total Planned Production(aircraft) | 187 units (completed) | 2,456 units (projected)(winner) |
| Operational Variants(count) | 1 (air superiority only) | 3 (conventional, carrier, STOVL)(winner) |
| Combat Sorties (Total History)(sorties) | ~2,500 sorties (2018-2024) | — |
| Sensor Fusion Architecture(null) | Integrated DAS with real-time sensor fusion & AI processing | — |
| Operational Service Years(years) | 8 years in combat operations (2018-2026) | — |
| First-Look Combat Range Advantage(miles) | 200+ mile detection while remaining undetected | — |
| Radar Cross-Section(m²) | <0.001 m² (stealth design) | — |
| Primary Radar System | AN/APG-81 AESA (1,500+ antenna elements) | — |
| Operational Nations (2024)(countries) | 15 nations | — |
| Radar Cross Section (RCS)(m² (square meters)) | 0.001 m² (frontal aspect) | — |
| Sensor Fusion System(coverage degrees) | 360° DAS (Distributed Aperture System) passive | — |
F-22 RaptorF-35 Lightning IIShow 2 more attributes
Show 1 more attribute
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
F-22 Raptor
Pros
- Mach 2.25 maximum speed (fastest 5th-gen fighter)
- Superior pitch rate (60°/second) and sustained turn capability for dogfighting
- Advanced supercruise capability (supersonic without afterburner)
- Integrated avionics with 360° sensor fusion
- Most proven air combat record in peer-level engagements
Cons
- Production capped at 187 aircraft due to cost and political constraints
- Limited ground attack and multi-role capability compared to F-35
- Higher operating costs ($44,000 per flight hour vs $25,000 for F-35)
F-35 Lightning II
Pros
- Three operational variants: F-35A (conventional), F-35B (STOVL for amphibious operations), F-35C (carrier-capable)
- Advanced integrated sensor suite combining radar, EOTS, DAS with real-time fusion
- Significantly lower unit cost ($84-130M vs F-22's $150M) enabling larger fleets
- Approved for 35+ allied nations enabling coalition interoperability
- Superior ground attack and electronic warfare capabilities with 5,700lb internal ordnance capacity
Cons
- Lower maximum speed (Mach 1.6) limits pure air-to-air performance
- Longer development and testing timeline (first flight 2006, full IOC 2016)
- Complexity of maintaining three variants across different operational contexts
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
The F-22 would have a significant advantage in a close-range dogfight due to its superior turn rate (60°/second vs F-35's 50°/second), higher speed (Mach 2.25 vs 1.6), and better sustained energy. However, in a BVR (beyond visual range) scenario with F-35's superior sensors and networking, the F-35 pilot would likely have tactical advantages through information dominance before engaging. Real-world combat would depend on scenario, pilot training, and tactical doctrine.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
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Wikipedia
- W
F-22 Raptor on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
US 5th-generation air superiority fighter optimized for air-to-air dominance and stealth performance.
- W
F-35 Lightning II on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Lockheed Martin 5th-generation stealth multirole fighter with advanced sensor fusion and network integration.
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