The Stealth Fighter That America Never Exported: The F-22 Raptor
When it comes to stealth fighter jets, the United States has shared many of its advanced aircraft with allies—but there is one exception: the F-22 Raptor. Designed by Lockheed Martin, the F-22 remains the only U.S. stealth fighter never sold to any foreign nation, even to close allies like the UK, Japan, and Australia.
Why did the U.S. refuse to export this groundbreaking aircraft? Because the F-22 was simply too advanced, too secretive, and too vital for U.S. air superiority.
A Fighter Built for Absolute Dominance
The F-22 Raptor was developed under the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program in the 1980s to counter next-generation Soviet threats. It was designed as the world’s first true 5th-generation fighter, combining:
✅ Unmatched stealth technology to evade enemy radar.
✅ Supercruise capability, allowing sustained supersonic flight without afterburners.
✅ Unparalleled maneuverability with thrust-vectoring engines for superior dogfighting.
✅ Next-level sensor fusion, giving pilots an overwhelming battlefield advantage.
When it entered service in 2005, the F-22 was decades ahead of any rival aircraft, and it remains the most dominant air superiority fighter to this day.
Why America Never Exported the F-22
1️⃣ Protecting Cutting-Edge Stealth Technology
The F-22’s stealth coatings, radar cross-section reduction, and classified avionics make it nearly invisible to enemy radar. The U.S. feared that if exported, adversaries could reverse-engineer its design, threatening American air superiority.
2️⃣ Congressional Ban on F-22 Exports
In 1998, the U.S. Congress passed the Obey Amendment, which legally prohibited the sale of the F-22 to any foreign nation. This decision was made to ensure America alone maintained full control over its most advanced fighter.
3️⃣ Too Expensive for Mass Production
The F-22 was incredibly advanced but extremely costly, with each jet costing over $150 million. The U.S. originally planned for 750 Raptors, but due to budget constraints, production ended at just 187 aircraft.
4️⃣ The Arrival of the F-35 Lightning II
Instead of exporting the F-22, the U.S. developed the F-35 Lightning II, a more affordable, multi-role stealth fighter. The F-35 was designed for global allies, while the F-22 remained a U.S.-only air dominance platform.
Which Countries Wanted the F-22?
Several U.S. allies desperately wanted the F-22, including:
- Japan – Proposed to co-develop an export variant.
- Australia – Expressed interest in acquiring it.
- Israel & NATO allies – Would have benefited from its superior capabilities.
Despite this demand, the U.S. government refused all export requests, ensuring the F-22 remained exclusively American.
Legacy and the Future of U.S. Air Superiority
Even though the F-22 is no longer in production, it remains the most powerful air superiority fighter in the world, with continuous upgrades keeping it ahead of rivals like the Chinese J-20 and Russian Su-57.
