Discover the missiles and bombs carried by the F-22 Raptor, their role in its missions, and why any external load compromises its stealth capabilities.
Summary
The F-22 Raptor is a fighter jet designed for air superiority and deep penetration into contested airspace. Its main armament is housed in internal bays to preserve its stealth capabilities. It typically carries six AIM-120 AMRAAM and two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for air combat. On air-to-ground missions, it can carry two 450 kg GBU-32 JDAM guided bombs. This configuration maintains a very low radar signature, a major advantage against modern surface-to-air defenses. The addition of external pylons would significantly increase the radar cross-section and therefore the vulnerability of the aircraft. The Raptor’s arsenal is therefore limited in volume and diversity, which has attracted criticism but is in line with its original doctrine. Planned developments, including the future integration of more compact munitions and cooperation with CCA drones, could expand its role without sacrificing its stealth capabilities.
The role and doctrine of the F-22
The F-22 Raptor entered service in 2005 as the first American 5th generation fighter. It is optimized to detect and destroy the enemy at long range before being spotted. Its stealth architecture—angular fuselage, absorbent coatings, internal weaponry—reflects this logic. The aircraft was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, with secondary ground attack capabilities. Its initial doctrine was based on the idea of dominating the skies against aircraft such as the Su-27 or MiG-29, then supporting the penetration of other platforms. Hence its arsenal focused on medium- and short-range air-to-air missiles, with limited air-to-ground carrying capacity to deal with a few strategic targets.
Air-to-air weapons in internal bays
The Raptor has a main ventral bay and two side bays behind the air intakes.
- The main bay houses six AIM-120C/D AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles (approximately 105 km for the C-5 version and up to 160 km for the D version). These missiles are optimized for fire-and-forget capability thanks to their active radar seeker.
- The two side bays each hold one AIM-9M or AIM-9X Sidewinder, a short-range infrared-guided missile (20 to 35 km depending on the version). These bays open sideways to allow for rapid firing without increasing drag.
This configuration gives the F-22 an advantage in BVR (Beyond Visual Range) engagements, where it can neutralize multiple adversaries before they detect it. The integration into the bay also ensures that its low radar cross section (RCS), estimated at less than 0.0001 m² at certain angles, is maintained.
Air-to-ground capability with guided munitions
Although focused on air superiority, the F-22 has been given ground attack capability to neutralize priority targets such as radars and logistics depots.
- It can carry two GBU-32 JDAM bombs weighing 450 kg each in its main bay. These munitions are Mk 83 smooth bombs equipped with a GPS/INS guidance kit offering metric precision.
- The Raptor then retains two AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9 Sidewinders for self-defense.
This capability was tested in real conditions in Syria in 2014, where F-22s struck Islamic State targets. It illustrates the Raptor’s potential as a light fighter-bomber, but the aircraft is not intended for close air support or heavy bombing missions.
The limitations imposed by stealth
The choice of a stealth architecture involves a trade-off: any external load—pylon, missile, or extra tank—significantly degrades radar stealth.
- Adding wing pylons to increase the offensive load could multiply the radar signature by several orders of magnitude.
- The increased drag would reduce supersonic speed without afterburners and range.
- Protecting external weapons with stealth fairings is technically possible but would make the aircraft heavier and more complex.
As a result, the F-22 only uses external pylons for transporting drop tanks, never for penetration missions. This choice has drawn criticism for its low payload—2 x 450 kg in air-to-ground stealth mode—but is consistent with its primary role: the rapid elimination of enemy air threats.
Operational effectiveness of the arsenal
The AIM-120 AMRAAM / AIM-9 Sidewinder combination addresses both phases of air combat:
- The AMRAAM deals with threats at a distance before formations merge.
- The Sidewinder covers the final close combat where stealth is no longer sufficient.
This combination relies on the F-22’s sensor fusion, which includes AN/APG-77 AESA radar, electro-optical detectors, and data link. The Raptor’s speed and maneuverability allow it to make the most of these weapons, even if its limited air-to-ground capability restricts its role in prolonged campaigns. Its use is therefore reserved for first strike waves or air superiority.
Adapting to the era of collaborative combat
American doctrine is evolving with the arrival of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), escort drones for the future NGAD program. These unmanned aircraft will be able to carry additional weapons, including heavy bombs or missiles, while remaining behind or ahead of the Raptor.
- This approach will allow the F-22 and its successor to maintain a lightweight stealth configuration.
- CCAs will act as remote carriers of long-range air-to-air missiles or air-to-ground munitions, thereby extending offensive power without compromising stealth.
For the Raptor, whose airframe will no longer be produced, future developments will focus primarily on integrating new weapons compatible with the dimensions of the bays, such as more compact air-to-air missiles or small diameter bombs (SDBs).
Logistical and technical constraints
Maintaining the F-22’s internal arsenal requires specific procedures:
- The bays require a clean, climate-controlled environment to protect the ejection and locking systems.
- Ammunition must comply with strict length and tailplane span specifications.
- The integration of new generations of weapons often requires software modifications to the mission system and sometimes mechanical adjustments to the racks.
These constraints explain why the Raptor has been slow to adapt to certain modern weapons, compared to the newer F-35, which was designed for modularity from the outset.
What lies ahead
The planned withdrawal of the F-22 from service starting in the next decade does not diminish the value of understanding its weaponry logic. The lessons learned from its stealth philosophy are already guiding choices for the NGAD.
- The integration of internal weapons remains imperative in the face of increasingly powerful low-frequency radars.
- The miniaturization of guided weapons opens up the possibility of doubling the amount of ammunition without enlarging the weapon bays.
- Human-machine cooperation with CCAs appears to be the most credible response to internal load limitations.
These developments show that the era of stealth still requires compromises between firepower and discretion. The Raptor remains a striking example of these technical and doctrinal choices.
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