Boeing has already been building advanced F-15s for American allies in nations like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, so standing up a new production line for the United States comes with relatively little cost. The worlds most advanced operational air superiority fighter presents a monumental challenge for any flight simulation developer. (photo, USAF) Development The F-22 Raptor will become the replacement for the F-15 Eagle air-superiority. Why? There are a number of reasons, but chief among them are operational costs (the F-15 is far cheaper per flight hour than either the F-35 or the F-22), and immediate production capability. Head-on view of a F-22A Raptor over Edwards AFB. v2.2.0 / 01 jan 02 / greg goebel / public domain The current first-line fighter aircraft of the US military, such as the F-15 and F-16, are excellent and formidable aircraft, but they were designed decades ago. In fact, Lockheed Martin would have to approach building new F-22s as though it was an entirely new enterprise, which is precisely why the United States didn't look into purchasing new F-22s rather than the controversial new (old) F-15EX.īoeing's new F-15s are considered fourth-generation fighters that are sorely lacking in stealth when compared to advanced fighters like the F-22 and F-35, but the Air Force has agreed to purchase new F-15s at a per-unit price that even exceeds new F-35 orders.

Lockheed Martin cannibalized a great deal of the F-22's production infrastructure to support the ongoing production of the F-35, meaning it wouldn't be as simple as just re-opening the plants that had previously built Raptors. 1,616 mph (2,600 kph) Diff.+16 mph Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Sukhoi Su-57 (Felon) Speed (kph) 2,574 2,600.

Lockheed martin f-22 raptor