Given Israel’s proximity to hostile neighbors, it is reasonable to assume that the country has more wants than needs when it comes to weapons. From air defense systems and fighter jets to main battle tanks and surface-to-air missiles, the Jewish state already has the most powerful military in the Middle East. Israel’s fleet is well-stocked with the most advanced American platforms available, including special variants of the F-15, F-16, and F-35, but formidable fighters that the Jewish state will never be able to fly. There is one aircraft. . Despite its longevity, the F-22 Raptor remains perhaps one of the best jet aircraft to ever fly the skies. The world’s first fifth-generation jet aircraft, the Raptor is popular among military professionals and aviation enthusiasts. The stealth technology built into this platform is so cutting-edge that the United States has banned its export to protect its components.
Specs and features
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor was built during the height of the Cold War in the 1980s. Designed to combine air superiority fighter capabilities with ground attack, signals intelligence, and electronic warfare capabilities, this platform is primarily a product of the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter Program. Perhaps the most important characteristic of this fighter is its small radar cross section. This feature, combined with the jet’s two thrust-vectoring F119 turbofan engines, allows the fighter to outperform all other comparable fifth-generation fighters in the skies while remaining undetected. You can demonstrate it.
In terms of weapons, the F-22 is well equipped. The jet’s large frame allows for three internal arsenals that can carry a variety of deadly weapons when in stealth configuration. Notably, the jet can simultaneously carry two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and six AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided air-to-air missiles in its side weapons bays. Two GBU-32 JDAM bombs are stored in the central armory.
As the Air Force states, “The F-22’s characteristics work synergistically to ensure the F-22A’s lethality against all advanced air threats.” A combination of stealth, integrated avionics, and supercruise This greatly reduces the engagement range of surface-to-air missiles, minimizing an enemy’s ability to track and engage the F-22. The combination of reduced visibility and supercruise emphasizes the advantage of surprise in tactical environments. ”
Why exporting Raptor is not easy
Given the Raptor’s impressive capabilities, it’s no surprise that Israel and the rest of the international community are thrilled to see this platform fly. However, U.S. law ensures that the F-22 (and its technology) never falls into the hands of America’s enemies or allies. In the early 1990s, Congress passed an express ban on Raptor sales, stating that “no funds available under this act shall be used to authorize or authorize the sale of the F-22 advanced tactical fighter to a foreign government.” It cannot be used.” Although several U.S. presidents have considered the possibility of exporting the F-22, international sales of the Raptors have never been fully approved. The threat of these deadly aircraft falling into the hands of Russia, Iran, or China was not worth the risk.
About the author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, national security writer for The National Interest, is an analyst at the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has bylines in many publications, including The National Interest, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel. Follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has published more than 1,000 articles on a variety of defense issues over the past several years.
Image: Shutterstock.
