The F-22C Air Superiority Fighter

A Reformer’s Case For the F-22

Over the years, there have been numerous efforts to kill the F-22 program and these have not been without cause. These efforts have, however, been misguided. While the F-22 is an extremely expensive aircraft, the potential that this platform offers in combat cannot be dismissed. Moreover, a proper version of the F-22 would be capable of filling a number of critical gaps that have appeared in the current Air Force.

Initial production work should continue with the design remaining, but work should begin immediately on an improved variant of the F-22 that can fill a greater variety of combat roles. The current version of the F-22 is too focused solely on air-to-air threats while historically the greatest threats to air assets come from the ground. We need to start by looking at a few key points with regards to our current Air Force capabilities, the roles that must be addressed, and how the F-22 can meet these needs.

1) With the FB-111 retired, we have no platform for delivering large quantities of bombs for area strikes other than heavy bombers and a very limited number of F-15Es. With the right bomb racks, the F-22 should be able to handle 16 1000lb bombs or 32 500lb bombs for area strikes, as these aren't done with PGMs.

2) Historically, low-intensity conflicts have required considerable strikes at deep bunkers and the like. In previous wars Iowa battleships firing heavy 16-inch gun rounds performed this role. Today we typically use heavy bombs in the 4000lb range. Most people don’t realize that the 4000lb bunker buster has greater penetration capabilities against hardened targets than even a tactical nuke. The F-22 can definitely carry 2 4000 lbs bombs and should be able to handle 4. JSF, F-16, and F-15C all carry zero.

3) While it lacks PGM capabilities, so did the FB-111 and it delivered the bulk of PGMs in the Gulf. No current U.S. Air Force fighter has the ability to deliver PGMs without the use of external targeting pods such as LANTIRN and HTS. The JSF will have internal targeting capabilities through the use of a system that was originally slated for the F-22. A follow-on F-22 could easily incorporate this system or use targeting pods in the internal bay or on the outer pylons.

4) Speaking of the internal bay, how about recon pods. The F-22 can supercruise over an area and deliver intel in real time. A lack of quality and timely reconnaissance has proven to be a serious problem with the current force. The F-22 could use a pod in the main weapons bay that would include visual and IR data on targets. This information would be combined with data from a ground search mode in the AESA radar. This allows for huge improvements in targeting as this system could easily discriminate between legitimate targets and decoys. Basing this capability on the F-22 means that the most capable and survivable aircraft in our arsenal would be performing this critical role.

5) When was the last time we had effective SEAD? If F-15 and F-16 are so damned good, why did we never get a handle on Serbian AAA? Because existing platforms lack the blend of abilities needed to get the job done. Black boxes only work until your enemy gets one and that's all the F-15 and F-16 have for SEAD. The F-22 has thrust vectoring, high dry thrust speeds, some stealth if that will work, the black boxes, and if you want to go nuts, replace the AIM-9s with extra flare and chaff racks.

6) No matter how you slice it or dice it, the F-22 is still a kick-ass fighter. Adding the additional capabilities in a follow-on variant should not impact this aspect of its performance at all.

What I am proposing is that we begin development of an F-22C model. The F-22C would be an ATS-equipped F-22 that places greater emphasis on the heavy strike mission than the proposed F-22. The C model would go into production after the original is fielded and the kinks are worked out of the current design. The C would incorporate lessons and systems from the F-35 including the Distributed Aperture Infrared system and a modernized computer and AESA. During the process of modifying the design to include the ATS strut, the main weapons bay would also be reinforced to provide carriage of a pair of 2000lb PGMs. The C would also be equipped to carry Maverick and a new generation HARM internally as well as heavy bomb loads externally, including 4 4000lb PGMs, 8 2000lb PGMs, 16 1000lb bombs, or 32 500lb bombs.

These capabilities would dramatically expand on the air combat potential of the EAW. The use of ATS would also make these capabilities available in a long-range strike package (such as those used against Libya in 1986). Stealth would remain as a tactical option if the situation warrants it but the aircraft would not be limited to functioning in that role as the F-22 has thrust vectoring, AESA jamming, and supercruise capabilities to make it more survivable in a hostile environment.