The Greatness of the F-22, the US Stealth Fighter Jet that Protects Israel from Iran

JAKARTA – Tensions between Israel and Iran peaked after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed while under the protection of the Iranian National Guard. The US, as Israel’s ally, acted quickly by sending its stealth fighter jets to confront the threat from Iran.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) says additional F-22 Raptor fighter jets have arrived in the Middle East to counter threats posed by Iran and the groups it supports.

“A US Air Force F-22 Raptor arrived in the US Central Command area of ​​responsibility on August 8 as part of the changing posture of US forces in the region and to address the threat posed by Iran and Iranian-backed groups,” CENTCOM wrote via X as quoted by Sputnik.

Israel assassinated Hezbollah and Hamas leaders in Beirut and Tehran last week. Iran and Hezbollah are expected to launch retaliatory attacks against Israel.

NBC News reported, citing an unnamed Israeli official, that the Jewish state was bracing for a potential prolonged attack by Hamas and Hezbollah, who want to avenge the deaths of their leaders.

F-22 Raptor Fighter Jet Specifications

The F-22 Raptor is no ordinary fighter jet. The Af.mil page notes that this jet is equipped with stealth capabilities, super cruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics in air combat capabilities.

The F-22 has a sophisticated sensor suite that allows pilots to track, identify, engage and destroy air-to-air threats before they are detected. Significant advances in cockpit design and sensor integration enhance the pilot’s situational awareness. In air-to-air configuration, the Raptor carries six AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles and two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

The F-22 has significant capabilities for attacking surface targets. In an air-to-ground configuration, it can carry two 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munition bombs on board and will use internal avionics for navigation and weapons delivery support.

The F-22 also features daytime stealth capabilities, allowing it to protect not only itself but other assets as well.

The F-22’s engines produce more thrust than any current fighter engine. The combination of sleek aerodynamic design and increased thrust allows the F-22 to cruise at supersonic speeds (greater than Mach 1.5) without using afterburners – a characteristic known as super cruise.

Supersonic cruise greatly extends the F-22’s operational range in speed and range over current fighters, which must use fuel-guzzling afterburners to operate at supersonic speeds. The F-22 has reliability beyond any fighter in history.

(msf)