Defense & Military
F-22 Raptor Modernization: Ensuring Air Superiority with Advanced Sensors
The F-22 Raptor: A Modernization Marvel in Air Superiority
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor has long been a symbol of U.S. air dominance, combining stealth, speed, and advanced technology to maintain superiority in the skies. Since its introduction in 2005, the F-22 has been a cornerstone of the U.S. Air Force’s strategy, ensuring air superiority in an increasingly contested global environment. However, as threats evolve, so must the tools to counter them. Recent developments in the F-22’s modernization, particularly the integration of advanced infrared sensors, highlight the ongoing efforts to keep this fifth-generation fighter jet at the forefront of military aviation.
With a limited production run of just 178 aircraft, the F-22 Raptor remains a rare and highly capable asset. Its advanced stealth capabilities, combined with unmatched agility and situational awareness, make it a formidable opponent in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Yet, as adversaries develop new technologies, the need for continuous upgrades becomes paramount. The recent $270 million contract awarded to Lockheed Martin for the integration of next-generation infrared defensive sensors underscores the commitment to ensuring the F-22’s relevance in modern warfare.
This article delves into the significance of these upgrades, exploring the historical context of the F-22, the specifics of the new sensor technology, and the broader implications for U.S. and NATO air superiority strategies. By examining expert opinions, recent deployments, and industry trends, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of why the F-22 Raptor remains a critical component of modern air defense.
The Evolution of the F-22 Raptor
The F-22 Raptor was the world’s first mass-produced fifth-generation fighter jet, designed to outperform any existing aircraft in terms of stealth, speed, and combat capabilities. Its development was driven by the need to maintain air superiority in the face of evolving threats, particularly from advanced adversaries. Despite its groundbreaking design, the F-22’s production was halted in 2011 due to high costs and shifting defense priorities, leaving the U.S. Air Force with a limited fleet of 178 aircraft.
Over the years, the F-22 has undergone several upgrades to maintain its edge. These include enhancements to its avionics, weapons systems, and sensor capabilities. The latest modernization effort focuses on integrating the Tactical Infrared Search and Track (TacIRST) sensors, also known as the Infrared Defensive System (IRDS). These sensors are designed to improve the aircraft’s ability to detect and counter adversarial threats in the infrared spectrum, a critical capability in modern air combat.
The decision to modernize the F-22 fleet reflects the U.S. Air Force’s commitment to maintaining air superiority in an increasingly complex battlespace. As Hank Tucker, Vice President of Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin, noted, “We understand the need for advanced and versatile infrared systems like IRDS that will make pilots’ missions more survivable and lethal against current and future adversaries.”
“We’re committed to supporting the Air Force through continuous innovation of capabilities to deter and defeat evolving threats.” – Hank Tucker, Vice President of Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin
The Role of Infrared Sensors in Modern Air Combat
The integration of IRDS on the F-22 Raptor represents a significant leap forward in sensor technology. These advanced infrared sensors enhance the aircraft’s ability to detect and track threats that may not be visible to traditional radar systems. By operating in the infrared spectrum, the IRDS can identify heat signatures from enemy aircraft, missiles, and ground-based threats, providing pilots with a more comprehensive picture of the battlefield.
This capability is particularly important in contested environments where adversaries may employ stealth technology or electronic warfare tactics to evade detection. The IRDS not only improves the F-22’s defensive capabilities but also enhances its offensive potential by enabling more precise targeting and engagement of enemy assets. As Justin Taylor, Vice President of the F-22 program at Lockheed Martin, stated, “Lockheed Martin is proud to continue partnering with the Air Force on essential modernization efforts for the Raptor, leveraging our expertise in 5th Generation aircraft and air dominance systems.”
The $270 million contract for the IRDS upgrade is part of a broader trend in defense spending aimed at modernizing existing platforms to counter emerging threats. With global defense budgets on the rise, driven by increasing military conflicts and geopolitical tensions, the demand for advanced sensor technologies is expected to grow. This trend is reflected in the projected 4.7% compound annual growth rate of the military aviation market from 2025 to 2030.
Global Deployments and Strategic Importance
The F-22 Raptor’s recent deployments to regions such as the Baltic Sea and the Middle East highlight its strategic importance in U.S. and NATO air superiority strategies. In Poland and Estonia, F-22s have been deployed to support NATO’s Air Shielding mission, providing a deterrent against potential aggression from neighboring adversaries. Similarly, in the Middle East, the F-22 has been deployed to counter threats from Iran and its regional proxies, underscoring its versatility in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.
These deployments demonstrate the F-22’s ability to operate in diverse environments, from the dense airspace of Europe to the arid regions of the Middle East. The integration of IRDS will further enhance the aircraft’s effectiveness in these missions, providing pilots with the tools they need to detect and neutralize threats before they can pose a significant risk. As the global security landscape continues to evolve, the F-22’s role in maintaining air superiority will remain critical.
Looking ahead, the F-22’s modernization efforts are likely to serve as a blueprint for future aircraft upgrades. The lessons learned from integrating advanced sensor technologies on the F-22 will inform the development of next-generation platforms, such as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. By extending the service life of the F-22 and enhancing its capabilities, the U.S. Air Force is ensuring that it remains a dominant force in the skies for years to come.
Conclusion
The F-22 Raptor’s ongoing modernization, particularly the integration of advanced infrared sensors, underscores its enduring importance in U.S. air superiority strategy. As threats continue to evolve, the need for cutting-edge technologies to counter them becomes increasingly critical. The IRDS upgrade not only enhances the F-22’s defensive and offensive capabilities but also ensures its relevance in an increasingly complex and contested battlespace.
Looking to the future, the F-22’s modernization efforts serve as a testament to the U.S. Air Force’s commitment to maintaining air dominance. By leveraging advanced sensor technologies and continuous innovation, the F-22 Raptor will remain a cornerstone of U.S. and NATO air superiority strategies for years to come. As global defense spending continues to rise, the lessons learned from the F-22’s upgrades will undoubtedly shape the development of next-generation aircraft, ensuring that the U.S. remains at the forefront of military aviation.
FAQ
Question: What is the F-22 Raptor?
Answer: The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force. It is renowned for its advanced stealth, speed, and combat capabilities.
Question: What is the IRDS upgrade?
Answer: The Infrared Defensive System (IRDS) is an advanced sensor technology designed to enhance the F-22’s ability to detect and counter threats in the infrared spectrum.
Question: Why is the F-22 Raptor important?
Answer: The F-22 Raptor is critical to U.S. air superiority, providing unmatched capabilities in stealth, speed, and combat effectiveness. Its ongoing modernization ensures its relevance in modern warfare.
Sources: Yahoo Finance, Shephard Media, PR Newswire
Military Technology
Saab Demonstrates Autonomous BVR AI Agents on Gripen E
Saab unveiled in-house AI agents for autonomous BVR air combat on the Gripen E after two years of flight testing.
Saab AB has successfully demonstrated autonomous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air combat capabilities using proprietary artificial intelligence agents integrated into a Gripen E fighter aircraft. The Swedish aerospace manufacturer officially unveiled the in-house technology on November 3, 2026, following approximately two years of airborne testing.
In a press release issued today, Saab confirmed the flight trials mark a critical step toward developing collaborative combat aircraft networks, where crewed and uncrewed systems operate as a coordinated force. The milestone underscores the company’s strategy to maintain sovereign control over its technology stack rather than relying entirely on external software providers.
Sovereign AI development and the Sferical facility
Saab centralized its artificial intelligence development under the AI Fighter Pilot Academy (AIFPA), an infrastructure designed to create, train, and evaluate AI agents. The department driving this initiative, Saab Advanced Programs, features a workforce where 40 percent of the staff hold doctorate-level qualifications, according to Aviation International News.
Peter Nilsson, Head of Advanced Programs at Saab Aeronautics, emphasized the operational focus of the project.
“We have not only built our own AI agents, but we have also flown them. This demonstrates our capability to develop AI agents that can be integrated into operational fighter aircraft. The future of air combat will not be defined by individual platforms acting alone, but by networks of crewed and uncrewed systems working together as a coordinated force. Through our ownership of the entire technology stack, we are building the capabilities needed for that future.”
To support this development, Saab recently implemented the Sferical AI facility in Linköping, Sweden. Part-owned by Saab, Ericsson, and AstraZeneca, the sovereign computing asset utilizes Nvidia’s DGX SuperPOD architecture. Aviation International News reported that the facility is powered by 1,152 Nvidia Grace Blackwell GB300 graphics processing units. This computing power allows Saab to run a one-hour flight test simulation one billion times in the same period, compared to just 1,200 times in a traditional central processing unit environment.
Speaking to Breaking Defense, Nilsson outlined the primary challenge facing the AIFPA following the successful flight trials.
“The harder question is how we turn this success into a dependable capability that can learn, improve, and be relevant over time… that is the true purpose of the AI Fighter Pilot Academy.”
Gripen E architecture and testing timeline
Saab, which employs approximately 31,000 people globally, utilized the Gripen E as the primary testbed for its AI agents. The aircraft features a software-defined architecture that segregates mission software from flight-critical functions. This separation enables the rapid integration and testing of new technologies without requiring dedicated experimental platforms or compromising safety of flight.
Prior to unveiling its in-house agents, Saab collaborated with third-party developers to validate the aircraft’s autonomous potential. On May 28, 2025, a Gripen E trials aircraft flew for the first time with the Centaur AI agent developed by Helsing, demonstrating initial BVR air combat capabilities.
Following these third-party trials, Saab transitioned to testing its proprietary agents. The company briefed journalists on the readiness of its in-house AI agents for operational deployment on October 30, 2026, before the official public unveiling on November 3, 2026.
Collaborative combat and future integration
The integration of artificial intelligence into combat aircraft aligns with a broader industry shift toward Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) concepts. Defence contractors globally are developing networks where crewed fighters command uncrewed loyal wingman platforms.
Saab is actively testing the sensor networks required for these collaborative operations. On October 28, 2026, Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully flight-tested an unmanned airborne early warning (AEW) capability, integrating Saab’s LoyalEye radar with an MQ-9B unmanned UAV.
Looking ahead, Saab anticipates that the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Air Force will absorb these AI agents into real-world operations within months or single digits of years, according to Aviation International News. In the interim, Saab plans to expand the capabilities of its agents by flying them in a broader range of scenarios, establishing the foundation for future uncrewed platforms.
AirPro News analysis
Saab’s insistence on sovereign, in-house artificial intelligence development contrasts with competitors who heavily outsource to commercial technology firms. By owning the entire technology stack, Saab positions itself to offer highly secure, exportable AI packages free from third-party licensing bottlenecks or foreign regulatory hurdles. The massive investment in the Sferical AI facility indicates we are seeing a shift from experimental AI flight tests to industrialized, mass-scale tactical training for autonomous systems. If Saab can deliver on its timeline for Swedish Air Forces integration, the Gripen E could become one of the first Western fighters to field operational, combat-ready AI agents in frontline service.
Defense & Military
Greece Orders Up to Six Embraer KC-390 Millennium Aircraft
Greece signed a government-to-government deal with Portugal for up to six KC-390 Millennium aircraft, with first delivery in 2027.
The Hellenic Ministry of National Defense has signed a government-to-government agreement with Portugal to acquire up to six Embraer KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft, making Greece the seventh European nation to select the Brazilian-built tactical airlifter.
Announced by Embraer in a press release on November 2, 2026, the contract includes three firm orders and options for three additional aircraft, with the first delivery to the Hellenic Air Force scheduled for 2027. The acquisition aims to modernize Greece’s airlift and air-to-air refueling capabilities while enhancing interoperability with allied North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces.
Expanding the European footprint
The procurement is structured as a bilateral agreement between the governments of Greece and Portugal. By selecting the KC-390 Millennium, Greece joins a growing list of NATO and European Union member states transitioning to the jet-powered transport to replace legacy turboprop fleets.
Embraer views the Greek acquisition as a validation of the aircraft’s utility within the European defense architecture, where interoperability and multi-role flexibility are primary requirements for fleet modernization.
“We are honored by Greece’s decision to acquire the KC-390 Millennium. This choice underscores the trust and confidence that leading NATO members place in our aircraft,” Bosco Da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, said in the company statement. “This very important milestone further solidifies the aircraft’s position as a preferred solution for military airlift among NATO allies.”
Da Costa Junior added that the aircraft’s proven performance, reliability, and cost efficiency make it an ideal choice for nations seeking to enhance their operational capabilities.
The KC-390’s development and market position
The Embraer C-390 and KC-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine jet-powered military transport aircraft designed to perform aerial refueling, troop transport, and cargo airlift. Development of the platform began in the mid-2000s. The Brazilian Air Force formally joined the project in 2009 by awarding a development contract to Embraer, a manufacturer with over 55 years of history and more than 9,000 aircraft delivered worldwide.
The aircraft completed its maiden flight in 2015, achieved civil certification in 2018, and entered military operational service in September 2019. It was developed specifically as a modern, jet-powered alternative to legacy turboprop tactical transports like the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
Greece is the seventh European nation to select the aircraft, joining Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. Outside of Europe, the aircraft has been acquired by the air forces of Brazil, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Colombia.
The program has seen significant momentum in recent months. On July 8, 2026, the Czech Air Force received its first C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, which featured a special three-tone gray camouflage designed by the Military History Institute in Prague. Shortly after, on July 23, 2026, Colombia signed a contract for two KC-390 Millennium transports, with one configured as a tanker to support its incoming Gripen fighter fleet.
AirPro News analysis
Embraer’s success in Europe with the KC-390 Millennium highlights a definitive shift in the tactical airlift market. For decades, the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules dominated this space. The KC-390’s jet-powered speed, payload capacity, and multi-mission flexibility have proven highly attractive to medium-sized NATO air forces looking to modernize. Securing Greece, a nation with stringent defense requirements and a focus on regional interoperability, validates Embraer’s strategy of leveraging early European adopters like Portugal to facilitate government-to-government sales. We expect this momentum to place increasing pressure on competing legacy platforms in upcoming recapitalization bids across the globe.
Defense & Military
US Army HADES Prototype ME-11B Completes First Flight
The U.S. Army’s first HADES prototype, a modified Bombardier Global 6500, completed its maiden flight on September 11, 2026.
The U.S. Army’s first High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) prototype completed its maiden flight on September 11, 2026, marking a critical milestone in the service’s transition from legacy turboprops to high-altitude jet intelligence platforms.
In a press release issued on October 30, 2026, the U.S. Army confirmed the flight followed extensive structural modifications by lead systems integrator Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to convert a Bombardier Global 6500 business jet into a military sensor platform. The program aims to provide commanders with deep sensing capabilities to operate effectively in contested environments against advanced anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) threats.
Transitioning to deep sensing capabilities
The maiden flight represents the transition of the HADES program from the structural modification phase into mission system integration and developmental flight testing. Prior to the September 11 flight, engineers and test pilots completed structural modifications, installed mission system hardware, and conducted preliminary baseline airworthiness verification at SNC facilities, likely in Hagerstown, Maryland.
The U.S. Army is actively divesting its legacy turboprop intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) fleet, which includes platforms such as the RC-12X Guardrail and MC-12S EMARSS. These older aircraft are being replaced by high-altitude jets capable of operating further from advanced A2/AD threats. Business jets like the Bombardier Global 6500 offer operational altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet and speeds around Mach 0.9, allowing onboard sensors to achieve greater line-of-sight over the horizon compared to lower-flying turboprops.
Lt. Col. (P) James Hickey, Project Manager for the U.S. Army Fixed Wing Project Office, emphasized the operational necessity of the new platform.
“The first flight of HADES Prototype 1 transitions our vision for deep sensing from concept to reality. Deep sensing is critical to maintaining decision advantage in the future fight. HADES will help commanders see farther, understand faster, and act with greater precision across the multi-domain battlefield.”
Program timeline and fleet development
The HADES platform is a core component of the Army’s broader Multi-Domain Sensing System (MDSS) initiative. The U.S. Army Fixed Wing Project Office, alongside the Project Director Sensors–Aerial Intelligence, manages the procurement and lifecycle of the asset.
Sierra Nevada Corporation was awarded the lead systems integrator contract for the HADES program in August 2024, a deal with a reported ceiling value of $991.3 million. The contract faced a brief suspension due to a protest by competitor L3Harris before proceeding. Bombardier subsequently delivered the first Global 6500 airframe to the U.S. Army in Wichita, Kansas, on November 25, 2024.
The U.S. Army officially designated the militarized Global 6500 as the ME-11B in early 2025. Fleet expansion has continued steadily since the initial delivery. On January 13, 2026, SNC announced the acquisition of a fourth Global 6500, intended to serve as the first non-prototype aircraft in the operational fleet.
Despite the hardware progress, the final acquisition objective for the HADES fleet remains unconfirmed by the U.S. Army. A January 2026 Request for Information outlined a fleet of 11 aircraft with an objective of 14. However, defense media reports from May 2025 indicated the Army might reduce the planned fleet to six aircraft due to budget realignments. The service has not publicly clarified the final fleet size in its recent communications.
Next steps in developmental testing
With the initial flight complete, the Army and SNC will spend late 2026 and 2027 integrating and testing HADES mission systems through a comprehensive developmental flight test program. This phase is designed to validate the aircraft’s multi-domain sensing and signals intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities.
The developmental testing will determine the effectiveness and operational readiness of the integrated systems ahead of formal operational demonstrations. Hickey noted that the achievement reflects the technical precision of military, civilian, and industry partners working to deliver transformational capabilities to the joint force.
AirPro News analysis
The successful first flight of the HADES prototype underscores a structural shift in military airborne ISR procurement. By selecting commercial business jets over bespoke military airframes or traditional turboprops, the U.S. Army is prioritizing altitude, speed, and payload capacity to counter modern A2/AD networks. This mirrors the U.S. Air Force’s approach with the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) fleet, which also utilizes a Bombardier Global airframe. The strategy allows the military to leverage billions of dollars in commercial aviation research and development, reducing both unit costs and development timelines.
However, the unresolved questions surrounding the final acquisition objective highlight the ongoing tension between ambitious multi-domain operational requirements and constrained defense budgets. If the fleet is ultimately capped at six aircraft rather than the originally envisioned 14, the Army will need to carefully manage deployment cycles and maintenance schedules to maintain persistent deep sensing coverage in key theaters like the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe. A smaller fleet size would place a premium on the reliability and mission capable rates of the ME-11B platform.
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