The F-22 Raptor upgrade is a multi-year modernization effort to extend the fighter jet's operational life and add new weapons, sensors, and software capabilities through the 2040s

The U.S. Air Force has committed to a series of upgrades to its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors rather than retire the aircraft and replace them entirely. These upgrades fall under programs with names like the Continuous Capability Improvement (CCI) program and the Advanced Raptor Sustainment (ARS) initiative. The work involves hardware replacements, new radar and sensor systems, updated avionics, and software patches that allow the jet to work with newer weapons and coordinate with other military platforms.

The F-22 first entered service in 2005, and the Air Force stopped buying new airframes in 2011 after 187 aircraft were delivered. Rather than retire these jets in the 2030s, the service has chosen to invest in keeping them combat-ready by replacing aging components, integrating new technology, and maintaining interoperability with allied air forces and ground systems. This approach costs less than developing and building an entirely new fighter, though the per-aircraft cost of upgrades has grown as the work becomes more complex.

Key Takeaways

  • The F-22 upgrade program extends the service life of existing Raptors from roughly 2035 to 2045 or beyond, avoiding the cost of replacing the entire fleet.
  • Upgrades include new radar modes, improved electronic warfare systems, updated engines, and software that allows the jet to use newer weapons and share data with other aircraft and ground forces.
  • Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney perform most of the upgrade work at facilities in Fort Worth, Texas and West Palm Beach, Florida, with some work contracted to smaller suppliers.
  • The Air Force has budgeted billions of dollars across multiple fiscal years for the upgrade program, though the total cost and timeline have shifted as requirements changed.
  • The upgrades are driven partly by competition with newer Chinese and Russian fighter jets, which prompted the Air Force to add capabilities the original F-22 design did not include.

Why the Air Force chose upgrades over replacement

Designing and building a new fighter jet from scratch takes 15 to 20 years and costs $50 billion to $100 billion or more for a full program. The Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is working on a replacement for the F-22, but it will not be ready for large-scale production until the 2030s at the earliest. In the meantime, the F-22 remains one of the most capable air-to-air fighters in the world, and the Air Force needs those jets operational now.

Upgrading existing airframes costs far less per aircraft than buying new ones, even though the per-unit cost of upgrades has risen over time. The Air Force estimates that keeping the F-22 fleet operational through the 2040s through upgrades costs less than retiring the jets early and accelerating production of a new fighter. This calculation assumes the upgrade work can be done without major delays or cost overruns — an assumption that has not always held in practice.

What the upgrades actually include

The F-22 upgrade program is not a single project but a series of incremental improvements rolled out over years. The Increment 3.2B upgrade, which began in the mid-2010s, added new radar modes, improved the jet's ability to detect and track ground targets, and enhanced its electronic warfare systems. Later increments have focused on integrating new weapons, updating the jet's communication systems to work with newer platforms, and replacing components that wear out or become obsolete.

One major upgrade involves the jet's Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which is being enhanced to detect smaller targets at greater distances and to operate in environments where adversaries are jamming. The F-22's engines, made by Pratt & Whitney, are also undergoing upgrades to improve reliability and extend their service life. The jet's software is updated regularly to add new weapons integration, improve data-sharing with other aircraft, and patch security vulnerabilities.

The Air Force has also worked to integrate the F-22 with newer weapons systems, including the AIM-120D air-to-air missile and GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs. These weapons were not part of the original F-22 design, and integrating them required software changes and testing. The upgrades also include work to make the F-22 compatible with NATO allies' air defense systems and to allow it to operate alongside the newer F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.

Who does the upgrade work and where

Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the F-22, leads the upgrade effort. The company's Fort Worth, Texas facility, where F-22s were originally built, performs much of the structural and avionics work. Pratt & Whitney, which makes the F-22's engines, handles engine upgrades at its West Palm Beach, Florida facility and other locations. Both companies work with a network of smaller suppliers who provide specialized components, software, and testing services.

The Air Force also maintains a depot-level maintenance facility at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, where F-22s undergo major overhauls and where some upgrade work is performed. This facility handles structural inspections, component replacement, and testing. The work is distributed across multiple locations partly for redundancy and partly because different types of upgrades require different informed and equipment.

How much the upgrades cost and how they are funded

The Air Force has not released a single total cost figure for the entire F-22 upgrade program, partly because the scope and timeline have changed multiple times. Budget documents show that the Air Force has requested and received billions of dollars across multiple fiscal years for F-22 sustainment and modernization. In recent years, annual funding for F-22 upgrades and maintenance has ranged from roughly $1 billion to $2 billion, though this figure includes both routine maintenance and modernization work.

The cost per aircraft for major upgrades varies depending on what work is done. Some upgrades, like software updates, cost relatively little. Others, like replacing major components or integrating new weapons systems, cost hundreds of millions of dollars across the entire fleet. The Air Force budgets for this work through its annual defense appropriations, and Congress must approve funding each year. Budget pressures and competing priorities have sometimes delayed upgrades or stretched them across longer timelines than originally planned.

How the upgrades affect the F-22's combat capability

The upgrades are intended to keep the F-22 competitive with newer fighter jets being developed by China and Russia. The Chinese J-20 stealth fighter and the Russian Su-57 have entered service or are entering service, and both are designed to challenge the F-22's air superiority role. The upgrades add capabilities that the original F-22 design did not include, such as improved ground-attack sensors and better data-sharing with other platforms.

The F-22 was designed primarily as an air-to-air fighter, and its original sensors and weapons were optimized for that role. The upgrades broaden its capability to support ground operations, to work as part of a larger network of aircraft and ground forces, and to operate in contested environments where adversaries are using electronic warfare. These changes make the F-22 more versatile but do not fundamentally change its design or performance envelope.

Timeline and what comes next

The Air Force has not published a detailed public timeline for all planned upgrades, partly because the program is classified in some respects and partly because priorities shift based on budget and operational needs. What is known is that upgrades are being rolled out in increments, with some aircraft receiving new capabilities before others. The Air Force aims to have the majority of its F-22 fleet upgraded to a common standard by the early 2030s, though some upgrades will continue beyond that date.

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is developing the F-22's eventual replacement, but that aircraft will not be available in large numbers for many years. In the meantime, the F-22 upgrade program is meant to keep the existing fleet relevant and capable. The Air Force has stated that it plans to operate F-22s through the 2040s, which means upgrades will likely continue for at least another decade or more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many F-22s are currently in service?

The Air Force has 187 F-22 Raptors in its inventory, the total number built before production ended in 2011. Not all of them are operational at any given time due to maintenance, upgrades, and other factors. The exact number of aircraft undergoing upgrades at any moment is not publicly disclosed.

Will the F-22 be retired before the upgrades are complete?

No. The Air Force has committed to operating F-22s through at least the 2040s, and the upgrade program is designed to support that timeline. The NGAD replacement fighter will enter service gradually, and the F-22 and NGAD will likely operate together for many years.

Can other countries buy upgraded F-22s?

No. The F-22 is not cleared for export due to its advanced stealth technology and sensors. Only the U.S. Air Force operates the F-22. Allied nations can purchase the F-35 Lightning II, which is a less advanced but still capable fighter jet that is cleared for international sale.

How long does it take to upgrade a single F-22?

The time varies depending on what upgrades are being performed. A major upgrade involving structural work, engine overhaul, and avionics replacement can take several months to a year or more. Smaller upgrades or software updates take less time. The Air Force does not publish specific timelines for individual aircraft.

What happens to F-22s that are too damaged or worn to upgrade?

Aircraft that suffer major damage or structural fatigue may be retired rather than upgraded. The Air Force evaluates each aircraft's condition and determines whether repair and upgrade is cost-effective. Some retired airframes may be preserved for training or historical purposes, while others are eventually scrapped.