Two Decades of the Raptor: Celebrating the F-22’s Operational Milestone

Lockheed Martin has launched a campaign commemorating the 20th anniversary of the F-22 Raptor achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC). In December 2005, the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia became the first unit to field the fifth-generation fighter, marking a significant shift in global air superiority.

According to the manufacturer’s announcement, the aircraft continues to define the benchmark for modern air combat. In a statement regarding the milestone, Lockheed Martin emphasized the platform’s enduring relevance:

“The F-22 Raptor sets the global standard for capability, readiness, and mission success.”

While the airframe was designed in the 1990s and first flew in 1997, the F-22 remains a central pillar of U.S. air power. The fleet, which consists of approximately 185 remaining aircraft out of the 195 originally built, has evolved from a pure air superiority fighter into a multi-role platform capable of ground strikes and strategic deterrence.

Operational History and Combat Record

Since its operational debut, the F-22 has maintained a reputation for dominance, primarily established through high-end military aircraft exercises rather than direct air-to-air combat against manned aircraft.

Exercise Performance vs. Combat Reality

Data from the U.S. Air Force and independent observers highlights the discrepancy between the Raptor’s exercise performance and its real-world combat engagements. During the 2006 Northern Edge exercise, its first major test after becoming operational, the F-22 reportedly achieved a 108-to-0 kill ratio against simulated adversaries flying F-15s, F-16s, and F/A-18s.

Despite this lethality in training, the aircraft’s combat record is distinct. The F-22 made its combat debut in September 2014 during Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting ground strikes against ISIS targets in Syria. To date, the aircraft has zero confirmed kills against manned enemy aircraft. Its sole air-to-air victory occurred in February 2023, when an F-22 utilized an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile to down a high-altitude Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina.

Stealth Capabilities

The primary driver of the F-22’s longevity is its low observable technology. Defense analysts estimate the Raptor’s Radar Cross Section (RCS) to be approximately 0.0001 square meters, roughly the size of a steel marble. This makes it significantly stealthier than the F-35 Lightning II and orders of magnitude harder to detect than foreign competitors like the Russian Su-57 or the Chinese J-20.

AirPro News Analysis: The Readiness Paradox

While Lockheed Martin’s anniversary campaign highlights “readiness” as a key pillar of the F-22’s legacy, recent Air Force data suggests a more complex reality regarding the fleet’s health.

We note that maintaining the world’s premier stealth fighter comes at a steep logistical cost. According to data published by Air & Space Forces Magazine regarding Fiscal Year 2024, the F-22’s mission capable (MC) rate dropped to approximately 40%. This figure represents a decline from roughly 52% in the previous fiscal year and indicates that, at any given time, fewer than half of the Raptors in the inventory are flyable and combat-ready.

This low readiness rate is largely attributed to the fragility of the aircraft’s stealth coatings and the aging avionics of the older airframes. The Air Force has previously attempted to retire 32 older “Block 20” F-22s used for training to divert funds toward newer programs, though Congress has blocked these efforts to preserve fleet numbers. The contrast between the jet’s theoretical dominance and its logistical availability remains a critical challenge for planners.

Modernization and Future Outlook

Contrary to earlier projections that might have seen the F-22 retired in the 2030s, the Air Force is investing heavily to keep the platform viable until the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter comes online.

The ARES Contract and Upgrades

In 2021, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $10.9 billion contract for the Advanced Raptor Enhancement and Sustainment (ARES) program. This decade-long modernization effort aims to update the fleet’s hardware and software.

According to budget documents for Fiscal Year 2026, the “Viability” upgrade package includes several key enhancements:

• New Stealth Tanks: The development of low-drag external fuel tanks and pods designed to extend the aircraft’s range without compromising its radar signature.
• Infrared Search and Track (IRST): The integration of new sensors capable of detecting heat signatures, a critical capability for engaging enemy stealth fighters that may not appear on radar.
• Manned-Unmanned Teaming: Software upgrades intended to allow F-22 pilots to control “Collaborative Combat Aircraft”, autonomous drone wingmen, in future operational environments.

These investments suggest that while the F-22 is celebrating its past 20 years, the Air Force intends to rely on its capabilities well into the next decade.

Sources

Sources: Lockheed Martin, U.S. Air Force

This article is based on an official press release from Collins Elbit Vision Systems (RTX).

Critical Design Review Completed for Navy’s Next-Gen Helmet

Collins Elbit Vision Systems (CEVS), a joint venture between RTX’s Collins Aerospace and Elbit Systems of America, has officially announced the completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Zero-G Helmet Mounted Display System+ (HMDS+). This milestone, finalized on December 12, 2025, marks a pivotal step in the U.S. Navy’s Improved Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (IJHMCS) program.

The successful CDR effectively freezes the system’s design, confirming that the helmet meets the Navy’s rigorous requirements for safety, performance, and platform integration. With the design locked, the program now transitions into the airworthiness testing and integration phase, bringing the system closer to deployment aboard the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets.

According to the press release, the Zero-G HMDS+ is engineered to address long-standing physiological challenges faced by naval aviators while introducing “6th-generation” digital capabilities to existing 4.5-generation aircraft.

Technical Leap: The Zero-G HMDS+

The Zero-G HMDS+ represents a significant departure from legacy analog systems. While previous iterations required pilots to physically attach heavy Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) for low-light operations, the new system integrates digital night vision directly into the visor. This integration streamlines cockpit operations and reduces the physical burden on the aircrew.

Weight Reduction and Pilot Safety

A primary driver for the Zero-G’s development is the reduction of head-borne weight. High-G maneuvers in fighter aircraft place immense strain on a pilot’s neck and spine, a hazard exacerbated by heavy, unbalanced legacy helmets. CEVS reports that the Zero-G system is more than 25 percent lighter than current market alternatives. Its name is derived from its optimized center of gravity, designed to minimize fatigue and long-term injury risks.

Capt. Joseph Kamara, the U.S. Navy Program Manager for Naval Aircrew Systems (PMA-202), emphasized the safety implications of the new design in a statement:

“Aircrew health and safety is our number one priority. The Zero-G being integrated through our IJHMCS program promises to relieve aircrew of neck and back strain and greatly improve ejection safety.”

Advanced Display Capabilities

Beyond ergonomics, the helmet utilizes a binocular waveguide display system. Unlike monocular reticles used in older models, this technology projects high-definition color symbology and video into both eyes, creating a fully immersive 3D view of the battlespace. The system is capable of “sensor fusion at the edge,” processing mission data and weapon information directly on the helmet to act as a primary flight instrument.

Luke Savoie, President and CEO of Elbit Systems of America, highlighted the strategic necessity of this upgrade:

“Zero-G is providing sensor fusion at the edge… As fighter aircraft level-up, the HMDs of those systems need to as well.”

Program Timeline and Deployment

The Zero-G HMDS+ program has moved rapidly since CEVS was awarded a $16 million contract by the U.S. Navy in September 2023 for development and test support. Following the successful CDR in December 2025, the program is scheduled to undergo flight testing and Avionics integration throughout 2026 and 2027.

The U.S. Navy projects Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the system in 2027. Once fielded, it is expected to equip aviators across the entire fleet of U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Super Hornets and Growlers, totaling more than 750 aircraft.

AirPro News Analysis

The completion of the CDR signals a critical maturity point for the Navy’s effort to modernize the human-machine interface in its tactical fleet. While much industry attention is focused on future platforms like NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance), the Zero-G program illustrates the military’s commitment to maintaining the lethality and survivability of its existing backbone fleet.

By adapting technology originally matured for the F-35 Gen III helmet, CEVS is effectively retrofitting advanced situational awareness tools onto older airframes. This approach not only extends the combat relevance of the Super Hornet but also addresses the acute retention issue of pilot physical health. The shift to digital night vision and balanced weight distribution suggests that the Navy views pilot longevity as a critical component of fleet readiness.

Sources

• RTX (Collins Elbit Vision Systems)

This article is based on an official press release from Lockheed Martin and supplementary data from the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command.

Brazilian Army Modernizes Aviation with First Delivery of UH-60M Black Hawks

The Brazilian Army (Exército Brasileiro) has officially accepted the first of 12 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, marking the commencement of a significant fleet modernization program valued at approximately $950 million. According to an official announcement from Lockheed Martin on December 16, 2025, this delivery represents a critical step in upgrading Brazil’s airmobile capabilities, specifically for operations within the Amazon region.

While the official acceptance ceremony took place in mid-December, the aircraft physically arrived in Brazil on November 20, 2025. It was transported aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III to Guarulhos International Airport before being ferried to the Army Aviation Command (CAvEx) in Taubaté for technical integration. The acquisition, facilitated through a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) approved by the U.S. State Department in May 2024, aims to replace aging airframes that have served for over two decades.

The new fleet is designated to replace four older UH-60L Black Hawks and eight Airbus AS532 UE Cougars. By transitioning to the modern “M” variant, the Brazilian Army intends to streamline logistics and enhance interoperability with U.S. forces during joint exercises.

Technical Upgrades for Amazon Operations

The transition from the legacy UH-60L to the UH-60M model offers specific performance advantages essential for Brazil’s challenging geography. The Amazon region, characterized by high temperatures and humidity, requires aircraft capable of “hot and high” performance. The new helicopters are equipped with T700-GE-701D engines, which provide increased power compared to the 701C engines found in the older fleet.

In addition to improved propulsion, the UH-60M features wide-chord rotor blades. These composite blades are more resistant to corrosion, a vital feature for tropical environments, and provide approximately 500 pounds of additional lift. The cockpit has also been modernized, moving from analog gauges to a fully digital “glass” cockpit, which reduces pilot workload and improves situational awareness through digital moving maps.

“The arrival of the first UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter in Brazil is a proud moment in our ongoing partnership. These aircraft will play a critical role in supporting the Brazilian Army’s operations.”

Rich Benton, Vice President at Sikorsky

Strategic Context and Future Capabilities

The 12 new helicopters will be assigned to the 2nd Army Aviation Battalion (2º BAvEx) based in Taubaté, with future deployments expected to support the 4th BAvEx in Manaus. Their mission profile is diverse, covering border security, counter-narcotics operations, and humanitarian relief efforts such as medical evacuations and disaster response during floods or landslides.

Brazilian Army officials have highlighted that this purchase is not merely a replacement of inventory but a strategic enhancement of capability. Lt. Col. Leandro Batista de Oliveira, the Brazilian Army’s FMS Manager, noted the dual purpose of the acquisition: renewing the fleet for domestic support and maintaining alignment with international partners.

“This purchase was made to renew our fleet and maintain our capabilities to support Brazilian society… as well as to maintain interoperability between Brazil and the USA. The next step in this project is, in the near future, to weaponize our UH-60M to acquire attack capabilities.”

Lt. Col. Leandro Batista de Oliveira, Brazilian Army

AirPro News Analysis

We view the Brazilian Army’s decision to replace the Airbus AS532 Cougars with Sikorsky UH-60Ms as a significant move toward fleet standardization. Operating a mixed fleet of European and American utility helicopters often incurs higher maintenance and training costs. By consolidating around the Black Hawk platform, CAvEx can streamline its supply chains and pilot training programs.

Furthermore, Lt. Col. Oliveira’s comment regarding the future “weaponization” of these platforms suggests a shift in doctrine. While the Black Hawk is traditionally a utility transport, equipping the “M” model with offensive capabilities would allow it to serve as an armed escort for air assault missions in the Amazon, reducing reliance on dedicated attack helicopters which may lack the range or troop-carrying capacity required for deep jungle operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many helicopters did Brazil order?
The Brazilian Army ordered a total of 12 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.

What is the value of the contract?
The total value of the Foreign Military Sale is approximately $950 million.

What aircraft are being replaced?
The new UH-60Ms are replacing four older UH-60L Black Hawks (in service since 1997) and eight Airbus AS532 UE Cougars.

When will the remaining helicopters be delivered?
Following the first delivery in December 2025, the remaining 11 aircraft are scheduled for delivery through 2029.

Sources

• Lockheed Martin
• U.S. Army Security Assistance Command