Security: The U.S. Air Force Can’t Ever Build New F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighters

The United States Air Force operates one of the most advanced fighter jets ever built: the F-22 Raptor. Designed during the Cold War to dominate enemy aircraft and evade radar, the F-22 remains unmatched in speed, stealth, and maneuverability. Yet despite its proven superiority, the U.S. Air Force can no longer build new F-22s—and may never be able to again.
The reason lies in a combination of cost, politics, and lost industrial capability.
A program frozen in time
The F-22 program was officially ended in 2011 after only 187 operational aircraft were produced. Originally, the Pentagon planned to buy more than 700 Raptors, but the collapse of the Soviet Union and shifting defense priorities reduced the perceived need for such a specialized air-to-air fighter. At the same time, costs ballooned. Each aircraft ended up costing more than $150 million, making it one of the most expensive fighters in history.
Congress decided to shut down production permanently, redirecting funds toward the newer F-35 program and other defense needs. What made this decision irreversible was not just stopping assembly—but dismantling the entire production line.
The lost manufacturing ecosystem
The F-22 was built by Lockheed Martin with contributions from hundreds of suppliers across the United States. Specialized tools, custom machinery, and unique software systems were created solely for this aircraft. When production ended, much of that equipment was destroyed or repurposed. Some suppliers went out of business; others shifted to different programs.
Even more important, the workforce dispersed. Engineers and technicians with deep knowledge of the Raptor’s stealth coatings, titanium airframe, and avionics systems retired or moved to other industries. Rebuilding that expertise today would take years and billions of dollars.
Pentagon studies later concluded that restarting F-22 production would cost well over $50 billion and still take a decade or more. For that price, the Air Force could instead develop newer, more advanced platforms.
Classified technology and outdated systems
Another obstacle is the aircraft’s classified design. The F-22 uses stealth materials and avionics developed in the 1990s and early 2000s. Some components rely on obsolete microchips and software no longer manufactured. Updating the jet to modern standards would require a major redesign, essentially creating a new aircraft under the old name.
Security restrictions also complicate matters. Because much of the F-22’s technology remains highly classified, even modernizing its systems requires special clearance and isolated facilities, making production far more complex than restarting a civilian aircraft line.
Strategic shift to next-generation fighters
Rather than reviving the F-22, the Air Force has chosen to focus on future platforms such as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. These aircraft are expected to include artificial intelligence, drone teaming, and improved stealth optimized for modern threats like Chinese and Russian air defenses.
The F-22 remains in service and continues to receive upgrades to radar, weapons, and communications. However, its limited fleet size means every loss—whether through accidents or wear—reduces overall capability.
Why it still matters
The inability to build more F-22s highlights a critical vulnerability in U.S. defense planning: once a highly specialized production line is shut down, it may be impossible to restart. In an era of rising tensions with major powers, this has raised concerns about whether future aircraft programs should be kept alive longer to preserve industrial readiness.
For now, the Raptor remains a symbol of unmatched air dominance—and of a strategic decision that cannot be undone. The U.S. Air Force may fly the F-22 for decades to come, but the era of building new Raptors is over for good.
In the history of military aviation, few aircraft have been so advanced—and so permanently out of reach.