SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The most up-to-date version of the F-22A Raptor made its debut in the CENTCOM area of responsibility this month, bringing expanded capabilities to the fight against the Islamic State.
The modernized F-22s, which arrived in early April, are equipped with the latest upgrades available for the aircraft, expanding the arsenal of weapons and increasing targeting accuracy.
“What our squadron is bringing to the fight now versus some of the previous squadrons, is we have the most up to date software and hardware loads that an F-22 can carry,” said Lt. Col. David, 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. “There is a huge advancement in the capabilities of the avionics, the radar system, the sensors and certain electronic features on board the aircraft.”
The ability to carry smaller diameter bombs and accurately place those bombs expands the capabilities of the F-22 as an air-to-ground asset. Before the upgrade, the aircraft were limited to larger bombs which ruled them out for certain missions requiring greater precision.
The upgrade has allowed the aircraft to shift roles from what it was initially designed for to meet the current threat.
“The aircraft was mainly designed for air to air engagement, so to be able to transition into an air-to-ground role definitely increases our value to the Air Force in the current mission,” said Senior Airman Matthew, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics specialist. “(The upgrade) will enable the aircraft to drop small diameter bombs on target, and coupled with the new advanced radar upgrade, we are definitely going to be able to go into theater and drop munitions accurately and dependably.”
The upgrade brings advancements to the air-to-air fight as well, expanding the F-22s missile arsenal which makes it even more formidable in the realm of air interdiction.
“One of the huge things that we bring to the fight now is the AIM-9X, the latest generation sidewinder missile, which previous F-22 units had not had,” said David. “We’ve fielded that now. We’ve flown with it, trained with it, and we’re the first F-22 unit that gets to bring that to theater which is a huge increase in the lethality of the F-22.”
Although lethal on its own, the F-22 is part of a bigger team in the region, augmenting the F-15E Strike Eagles here as well as the coalition partners in the AOR.
“It’s all about increasing the capability and lethality to enable this coalition to be able to go do the job that it needs to,” said David. “With the new capabilities we have, and with the already formidable weapon system that the F-22 is, whatever the demand, we are ready to meet that challenge.”